Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (368)

Rare “spirit calling” bell from the Yao Mien ethnic group of Guangxi, Vietnam, Laos. This would be used in Daoist ceremonies by Dao Guang priests and an example may be seen in Jess Pourret’s book: The Yao, plate 570, pg 207. The bell is attached to a bear’s tooth and has a "sweet" tone. This a genuinely old piece, circa late 19to early 20 the century. Please see last enlargement for scale. Free shipping.

Nice old well worn Qing Dynasty Shekwan green and blue flambé glazed pillow. 19th century- very nice impressed floral scroll and coin pattern unglazed ends. L: 34cm/13.5in and W: 10cm/4in. Here is an “amusing” Youtube video on opium pillows and their history from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for your edification https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zOVd9LEabo&t=182s

Maginficent, antique basket from the Naxi/Nakhi ethnic group in Yunnan province. I purchased this in 2001 at local market in Lijiang (now a UNESCO heritage site). Constructed of bamboo with much of lacquer intact, this piece is circa 50 to 80 years old, most interesting is an auspicious coin symbol woven into the top. This kind of thing always reminds of the labor intensiveness that is put in to decorating such a humble object...

Antique women’s shoulder cloth (hti paun) from the Mro or Khami subgroup of the Chin ethnic group. A very old piece circa 1920 to 1940. There are two small repaired holes, minor fraying edge along the selvedge and loss to fringe. L: 174cm/64.5in and W: 92cm/32in.

Fine example of Chin weaving from Myanmar, probably from the Khami subgroup. Complete front breast panel from the Chin State. All hand spun cotton circa 50/70 years old. One repair and frayed on the top minor repair (may be seen in image of the back). L: 67cm/26.3in and W: 36cm/14.1in. Free shipping. airmail.

Finely detailed carved bamboo bitong with five panels depicting classic three friends of winter and scholar themes. I bought this in Guangxi Zhuang, in 1995, late Republic period. There is a hole intentionally drilled at the bottom, otherwise excellent condition. H: 13.4cm/5.2in and D: 6.8cm/2.8in.

Very large Cambodian brown lacqered clothing box with beveled dome lid and rattan bindings. Nice old village construction circa 50 or 60 years old. Constructed from molded wood and in good condition except for minor loss to crenellated decoration around the base. D: 38cm/14.9in and H: 22cm/8.6in.

Old embroidered jacket panel from the Miao/Dong ethnic group Southwest China. See image for condition and size, floral scroll. Free Shipping

Rare and quirky Rawang/Nung small storage basket from the Rawang enthnic group, Kachin State, Northern Burma. Rough plaiting but quite charming, the top of the lid has worn through- only the second of this style of plaiting, I have encountered over many years. H: 28cm/10.2in and W: (at base) 16.2cm/6.5in. Very old.

Eight mysterious skull beads, these came out of China, and have a powdery white coating (I assume to give them the look of excavated items). These are individually made of glass and were purchased in Hong Kong about 20 years ago. Each bead is 15mm x 11mm. Free shipping.

Women’s three paneled silk dress circa 1970 to 1990, hand woven from Bhutan. Minor fraying along one side where as well some pinholes and stains. L: 2.3m/90in and W: 1.43m/56in.

Eclectic strand of spherical wood, cylindrical bone and wild boar's incisor tooth beads, from the Naga or possibly Chin ethnic group in Myanmar. Some of the bone beads have been dyed to resemble pumtek heirloom beads, maybe using wax resist method. These were collected in the 1980s and had some age at the time so I will date around 1960. Total L: 71cm/28in. Free shipping via Hong Kong Registered Airmail.

Old embroidered jacket panel from the Miao/Dong ethnic group Southwest China. See image for condition and size, with abstract phoenix and floral scroll. Free Shipping

Very finely detailed hand carved bone lime box from Timor, circa mid 20th century, with wooden stopper. L 10cm/4.1in. Included is anthropomorphic stopper from the Bataks near Lake Toba, Sumatra. They’re unrelated but somehow look like they belong together.

Pretty little antique white Burmese jade pendant, adjustable cord and free shipping via Hong Registered Airmail. H: 31.8mm and W: 19.7mm. Carved with bat, coins and lingzhi with splash of apple green at the bottom. Free shipping.

Wholesale lot of 100 pieces Jade Bi, vintage to antique Burmese jadeite. Diameters: 23mm to 17mm, hole diameter 6-7mm. These are untreated stones i.e., not dyed with original natural color. Total weight: 258 grams. These “stand alone” pieces and may be worn individually. Excellent for a “bricks and mortar” shop or jewelry designer,

Nice old storage basket from the Lahu ethic group, Northern Thailand. This has a tough double layered weave with the outer wall made from rattan and the inner wall of bamboo strips. Lahu baskets are held in high regard by the other tribes in the area and were sold or traded to them. This is a genuine old tribal piece and not a tourist piece made for the home décor market. Acquired in 1990, and has been in storage since them a reasonable estimate on age would be 40 to 50 years old...

Colorful hand woven beaded shoulder cloth from the Batak people, Sumatra. This piece is quiet lively and complicated with gold treads, and large “Rasta” colored diamond patterned warp embroidered bands. The “Dame Madi Hita” is Batak language and is embroidered on both sides of the center which refers to a blessing bestowed by the giver to the recipient...

Quirky shallow bowls enclosed in pewter. The original blank dishes were imported from Japan and then decorated in Hong Kong. By the 1980s this trade died out due to rising property costs as well as the transitioning of the Hong Kong manufacturing sector to China. This pair is in excellent condition and perfectly matched with floral panels and medallions. These are also the only examples I have seen jacketed in pewter. D: 17cm/6.9in and H: 4cm/1.6in. Dated to 1970’s.

Lovely double gourd, Dehua porcelain small vase, circa late Qing or Republic Era.. Please note the third enlargement the surface appears to be smudged, this area originally had a handle that broke of and has been polished down. H: 11.3cm/4.4in and D: 6.8cm/2.9in. A simple well balanced elegant piece, suitable for a sing rose. Basic stand included.

Nice old antique black lacquered bamboo and wood box from Cambodia circa 1950 or earlier. This part of a collection I acquired almost 20 years ago. Khmer lacquer is quite rare, not many crafts survived the Khmer Rouge era, and is a lost art. Some wear and restoration as to be expected but no major damage. D: 5cm/7.8in and H: 10.5cm/4.1in.

Ensemble of 6 breast panels from the Khami or Mro subgroup of the Chin ethnic group, Arrakan State Burma. Antique 1950s or older. Sizes- L: 66cm26in and W: 34cm/13.4in (more or less). Condition as pictured.

Very fine lacquer “siri” box from the Karen ethnic group in Northern Thailand. This has thick application of black lacquer and a fine naturally aged patina- circa 50 to 60 years old. There are two inner trays and is in good condition- there is one old repair at the bottom that may be noted in the last enlargement. H: 10.5cm4.1in and D: 9cm/3.5in.

Special Offer- free shipping! Lovely Japanese presentation or tea tray, made from a naturally hollowed out section of the bottom of a tree trunk “cat face”. This should be mid 20th century. I think it would make a stunning planter (see enlargement #9). D: 28cm/11in and H: 17cm/6.8in.

Very rare early 20th century textile from the Mulao ethnic group Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Province. Little is known about these textiles other than they show a close affinity with Maonan weavings and are no longer being woven by this people. This is a two paneled blanket with original border and supplementary weft silk and cotton embroidered pattern of birds, mythical animals and flowers on a cotton field “key fret” pattern...

Finely woven Iban women’s kain skirt, circa 1940 with “eye of the green pigeon” and bamboo pattern, from the Kapit area, Sarawak, Malaysia. Fine and tight weaves like this, indicate that owner was from a high status. There is one repair noted in enlargements. This ikat is made from all handspun and natural dyes while the colored bands are commercial thread. L: 115cm/42.5in and W: 57cm/22.5in.

Old embroidered jacket panel from the Miao/Dong ethnic group Southwest China, with abstract phoenix and floral pattern. See image for condition and size, floral scroll. Free Shipping

Nice heavy Jadeite Bi with subtle green and lavender highlights. There is a crack running all the way through it, an enterprising jeweler could cut this in half and have two usable attractive pieces. D: 5.1cm/2in and 91mm/36in thick. 66 grams. Free shipping via Hong Kong international registered mail.

Very rare Khmer black lacquer “pillow box” with an abstract floral pattern. This is an old pre Khmer Rouge item, dating 50 to 60 years old, possibly more. The unique decoration makes this a one of a kind piece, the construction is typically Cambodian, in that it is constructed with thin small planks of wood and is coated with raw lacquer on the bottom, and this was sourced in the “Russian Market” about 15 years ago in Phnom Phenh...

Semi antique Timor sarong made from all natural dyes and handspun cotton circa 1950/1960. Both top and bottom have “buna” weft embroidered panels. There is 7cm x 4cm piece missing on one edge, noted in enlargements. L: 110cm/43.2in and H: 103cm/40.5in.

6187 250.00 Very rare old Cambodian woven bamboo lacquered scroll box with a partial mother of pearl inlay design, circa early 20th CE. This is an unusually large piece in good original condition, some surface loss to the lacquer but no breakage on the woven walls. The body is still pliable, the lid is a bit scuffed- to be expected from an old item. H: 42cm/16.5in and D: 13cm/5.1.

Nice old Lahu bamboo woven basket (there is some rattan used in the bindings), from the Golden Triangle region in Northern Thailand. This is a genuine ethnic/tribal piece and not made for the tourist trade. There is a carrying strap that comes with this but it is not woven into the basket itself. The basket is in excellent condition while the strap has some brittleness where it folds. H: 22cm/8.5in and D: 23cm/9in.

Superb 3 paneled weaving from the Zhuang ethnic group in Guangxi Zhuang, Southern China. The body is woven from very fine handmade cotton thread while the weft supplementary embroidery is done with silk floss threads (the small blue indigo medallions are done with cotton). Quite a heavy piece because of all the embroidery. L: 161cm/63in and W: 100cm/39in.circa first half of the 20th century.

Good bronze small “lost wax cast” image of the Buddha being sheltered by Nagas. This piece was created in the 1980s emulating a Khmer style. Good quality craftsmanship and has not been treated with an acid bath as they often are. H: 9.3cm/3.6in and W: 4.9cm/2in. Free shipping via Hong Kong Airmail.

Very rare late 19th century small lacquer box with a bird in concentric circles on both concave top and bottoms unusual simple geometric designs on the side. For a box of this age, it is in very good condition some loss to lacquer on the edges and bottom of lid. For the specialist collector of Burmese lacquer ware. D: 10.1cm/4in and H: 7.1cm/2.8in.

Rare black Lanna lacquer box circa 70 to 90 years old in excellent condition given its age, no repairs or big chunk missing, from Chiang Mai. Genuine old examples of Thai lacquer are quite rare these days as most have been bought up by Thai collectors. H: 8.7cm/3.4in and D: 11cm/4.2in.

Hetian nephrite jade pendant with illegible archaic script incised on the surface. Cut from the edge of a jade boulder, this piece has a natural shape and “organic” feel. The russet highlights are attractive but artificially induced. H: 7.7cm/3in and W: 3.8 /1.5in- 29 grams.

Very rare antique lacquer box from the Southern Shan States circa late 19th CE to early 20th CE. This a complete set (which is rare in itself these days). The pattern though simple is exquisitely detailed. Some craquelure on the surface, as is expected and few minor chips at the bottom of the lid. H 13.7cm/5.4in and D: 15.5cm/6.1in.

Set of 3 “Socialist Kitsch”, porcelain brush pots with green Jingdezhen “China” marks inside the “bi” shaped footrims, circa 1960s-1970s. These all have the same mark and same dimensions H: 12cm/4.8in and D: 8.4cm/3.2in. Relatively good Jingdezhen quality porcelain, and simple polychrome decorations with revolutionary slogans. These were meant for mass consumption but amazingly little of it remains today...

Traditional scroll painting of what I am assuming is the Chinese ideal of a courtesan putting her make up on in morning. This was painted in the year of the Fire Rat- 1936 or 1996. I would tend put this at the earlier date because the paper shows some age and this has been newly remounted, as well as the style is evoking feeling of a French boudoir. W: 33cm /13in x H: 72cm/28.5in- mounted W: 56cm/22in x H: 138cm/54.5in.

Classic heavy silk or cotton and silk blend fabric black cheongsam or qipao top with blue silk lining, circa mid 20the century. Perfect condition, and clean. Tailor made and all hand sewn. Dimensions in enlargements.

Rare, very rugged leather tobacco box from the Bai ethnic group in Yunnan, China. This was purchased in rural Yunnan at a Bai market, near Dali over 20 years ago. One can assume this craft is no longer being done with the availability of cheap plastic items as well as the migration of artisans to better paying jobs in the city. There are some tiny lacquer losses to the surface. I W: 9.8cm/4.9in x H:5.5cm/2.2in & 8cm/3.1in x 6cm/2.4in. Free shipping.

Beautiful old classic Lao shoulder clothe, all natural dyes with hand spun silk threads. I picked this up on my first trip to Laos in the mid 1990s, at the Talat Sao Market, Vientiane and would date this to the 1970/80s. The fabric is incredibly soft and supple and may be worn (it is amazingly warm) as a scarf or hung as wall art. It has a few loose threads on the selvedge but otherwise in excellent condition with no holes or tears. W: 38cm/15in and L: 243cm/8ft...

Unusual Miao embroidered central panel, of a wedding apron costume. There is a coiled dragon in the center with two phoenixes above- surrounded with longevity characters, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures. It has a tattered calendered silk black border silk weft embroidered all the threads are handspun. The orange dye has bled into the white field some, so please see enlargements. H: 61.5cm/24.2in x D: 33cm/13in. Circa early-mid 20th century

Pair of Tiele (Chinese Ironwood) Weiqi boxes, carved from solid wood. Weiqi was the forerunner of the Japanese board game of Go, and one of the Four Arts, that someone from the "gentleman class" were supposed to know. These boxes are used to put the stone pieces in. There is cyclical date which probably doesn’t go further back than 1972 therefore they could be 1984, 1996, 2008, 2000, 2012...

Gorgeous old silk brocade supplementary weft embroidered on cotton backing from the Mulao ethnic group, circa first half 20th CE. The foundation is woven with handspun blue cotton threads and silk weft embroidered, phoenix, butterfly and floral images against a “key fret” background. L: 109cm/42in and W: 68cm/26in (with cotton border L: 128cm/50in and W: 83cm/32in)...

Charming votive folk embroidery, from the Saurashtra area of Gujarat, made by the Kanbi farmers caste, circa 50/60 years old. The two ply field is woven from all hand spun rough cotton thread; hand dyed silk thread and small glass mirrors. Ganesh is flanked by two female consorts and his “vehicle” of mice beneath him. These are brought out during religious and auspicious festivals, he traditionally has been viewed as the remover obstacles...

Nice old Thai sticky rice “lunch box”, from the Karen ethnic group Northern Thailand. This is about 40 or 50 tears old with typical double wall construction. There are areas that have been lovingly repaired with some nylon cord. To the purist this may be seen as a distraction but I see time and an ethic where nothing was ever wasted- this was a valued very personal object. Next to it I have placed a contemporary one. Nowadays even this would be considered disposable; when you tra...

Old wooden stand acquired from a US expat estate in 1987, this was made between 1950 and 1980. The legs are inserted. Minor natural “check” in the top, and this piece is sort of shaped like Australia (no extra charge). 14cm/5.5in x 10cm/4cm and 4cm/1.6in.

Old Chin tube skirt, circa 1950, from the Khumi subgroup in Burma. although deceptively simple is really extremely complex; please note in enlargements that the reverse side of this textile does not show any of the pattern on the front. This is made on a backstrap loom of very fine homespun cotton with a beaded fringe along the selvedge. Some stains and a few small holes. L: 180cm/71in and W: 44cm/17.2in

Very rare “letter” purse woven from bamboo from the Karen ethnic group along the Thai/Burma border. Before the advent of plastic bags and Velcro items such as these were treasured labor intensive daily necessities. This is an antique- circa 70 to 90 years old made from all natural materials and is designed to make it as waterproof as possible. There are still traces of red lacquer in the crevices indicating that this was the original overcoat and the corners are reinforced with leather p...

Ensemble of three vintage carved horn seals in Kaishu script. The larger ones are made from buffalo horn while the smaller one is made from antelope horn and quite rare. See enlargements for scale. Free shipping.

Good semi antique, Timor ikat textile (circa 1960’s) with two crisp “rooster” (which symbolizes masculinity) indigo and white bands running the length of the cloth. Excellent condition- no damage. Natural dyes and hand spun cotton threads. L: 194cm/76 (not including threads at the end) and W: 103cm/40.5in.

A timely and quirky soy brown glazed Korean War era chopstick holder with political slogans. The left hand column translates as “support your family and the Chinese military”, the right hand “oppose America, support Korea” and the top characters “increase productivity”. Possibly used in a factory canteen this is the only ceramic I have ever seen from this brief period. The two crossed flags are quite unusual- on the left you have the standard PRC flag but the left is repr...

Fine cowrie shell necklace from northwest Burma, probably Naga on a hand woven macramé cotton cord. This is an old set, circa 80 years with an excellent worn natural patina and almost porcelain like surface these need to be handled to be appreciated. Please note that each bead is hand carved to nest into the other so when strung together and worn the necklace hangs in a circular fashion. Cowrie shells are probably the most ubiquitous ornament to have ever adorned a human being sin...

Fine three paneled wedding blanket from the Zhuang ethnic group, Southern China. W: 90cm/35.5in and L: 148cm/58in (with border W: 134cm/52in and L: 190cm/74in. Woven from all hand spun cotton and silk embroidery threads. Classic diamond and star pattern with “wanzi” swastika meander patterns on the border, also incorporated into this pattern are a few “Wang” characters (Chinese for king), which may be seen in the lower left side of the cover image. The black border and backing ...

Set of Qing Dynasty silver repoussé Chinese child’s hat ornaments. Very sweet little collection of 5 Budai and a lions face. Budai H: 2.9cm/1.1in and W: 2cm/o.8in and lion face D: 4.4cm/1.7in. The lion face has missing enamel on one ear. Free shipping via Hong Kong Registered Airmail.

Unusual collection of 6 old “prayer cloths” from a Taoist Master’s ceremonial robe (see last enlargement). For generic purpose’s these should be considered to be from the Mien group as they came from Vietnam and are circa 50 to 60 years old- woven from handspun cotton. They all have the same basic pattern indicating they are probably from the same priest’s outfit. These used to be quite easy to get about 20 years ago but now almost impossible to find. Dimensions- the larges...

Lovely Chinese basket most likely woven by the Zhuang or another of the many ethnic minorities in Guangxi Zhuang, China where I bought this over 20 years ago. This woven from split reed stalks and has a nice soft feel to it. This piece is quite old, 50 to 100 years (best guess). It has an unusual trapezoidal/oval shape and I like it for its sturdy simplicity. Minor unraveling of some of the weaves here and there but in very good condition given it age. H: 14cm/5.5in and L: 24cm/.5in...

Nice old red and black lacquered Cambodian Siri (betel) box container with foliate scroll pattern incised on the surface. Minor lacquer losses and restoration consistent with an antique piece. The art of Cambodian lacquer production has had a minor renaissance in recent years but this mainly done for the decorative art export market, items made for local village use this has pretty much died out after Khmer Rouge Era and advent of cheap Chinese plastic boxes. D: 23.5cm/9.2in and H: 10...