Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (365)

Very rare large “Swatow” bowl from the Zhangzhou kiln, Fujian Province, China. This is a Binh Tuan shipwreck recovery piece, discovered off the coast of Vietnam in 2001...

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.

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.

Very rare Warring States jar with ribbed pattern. I’ve seen these in publications, but this is the first one I have seen in person. There is one chip on the mouthrim, as can be seen in enlargements, but otherwise in excellent condition. Very sharply carved with decorated lugs. H: 13cm/5.1in and D: 16cm/6.2in.

Ming Dynasty Tudigong 土地公 Rare Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE) pottery image of the Taoist “folk” God, Tudi Gong. He is a very popular God and is considered a community guardian, which is why you will see his small shrines in rural villages and urban neighborhoods, venerated by common people. Literally he is an erath God (God of the soil)...

Mid 20th century textile from the Mulao ethnic group Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Province. This is a two paneled blanket with original border and supplementary weft silk embroidered pattern phoenix and flowers on a cotton field “key fret” pattern- all handspun threads. Good condition - no holes or missing embroidery threads. L: 110cm/43in and W: 66cm/cm/26in- with blue cotton border L: 153cm/59in and W: 110cm/43on.

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.

Rare Ming porcelain classic “eight trigram” design censer from the Jingdezhen kiln, with celadon glaze, on three small feet. This is easily mistaken for a stoneware Longquan ware, so please view last enlargements to see the white clay showing through the unglazed portion, unlike the grayish clay from Longquan. This piece is perfect condition. D: 13cm/5.1in and H: 5cm/2in.

Exceptionally rare baby blanket from the Tujia weavers of Longshan County, Hunan Province, China. I have been looking for one of these for years and this is the first complete blanket I have ever found, albeit the lower two border panels come from a different piece. This incorporates the unique white tiger motif (see enlargement #3) which is believed to give the baby protection. For the Tujia the white Tiger is a totemic ancestor deity...

Good large Ming sancai ceramic wedding bed. These were interred in tombs of wealthy individuals to serve them in the afterlife. Nowadays they burn paper replicas instead. This piece has ornate eves in green and amber glaze, no cracks but some minor fritting. It is a large and heavy piece so free international shipping is offered via surface mail, if you would like a faster service than the buyer will pay the additional costs. Personally I have always thought these were ancestor shrines...

Pair of matched naturally stressed wooden plaques with “couplet”, encouraging harmony and peace. Traditionally Chinese write to right to left so the meaning of the board on the right encourages one to “admit your mistakes to avoid trouble in the world” while the one on the left, encourages one to “be tolerant, to live in peace”. It has been suggested to me that these may be have been hung in an old Kung Fu studio as this would express the spirit of martial arts...

Fine and rare old rattan “tali” basket with a contracted mouth from the Idu Mishmi ethnic group of Arunachal Pradesh, India. In India they are primarily animist but in China where they are known as the Lhoba they have a strong spiritual affiliations with Tibetan Buddhism. Google “Bamboo and Cane Culture of Arunchal Pradesh” and you will get a good description of this regional craft...

Fine old Cambodian lacquered woven bamboo betel box. No damage or restoration other than natural wear, as to be expected. Any lacquer coming from Southeast Asia with no signs of use is a strong indicator that its new. Circa 60 to 90 years old. D: 21.5cm/8.5in and H: 9cm/3.5in

Magnificent large Northern Thailand red and black lacquer box with foliate and floral scroll pattern, circa late 19th to early 20th century, most likely produced at a Chiang Mai workshop. Very light weight original top and bottom, best example I’ve seen in over 20 years. There is craquelure as is typical from antique Southeast Lacquer and very small color and lacquer loss due to use, please examine close ups. D: 26cm/10.1in and H: 10cm/4in.

Fine and rare large conch shell pendant from Central Thailand Bronze Age, Ban Chiang or Lopburi cultures circa 300BCE-500CE. Superb condition with minimal calcification may still be worn! The spiral is one ancient humans most universal motifs in adornment, it is understandable why people were drawn to this. Included is a museum quality perspex stand (total H: 14.5cm/5.6in). Maximum D: 7.7cm/3in and W: 3.4cm/1.5in...

Good Mandalay period Nat circa last half 19th century, carved from alabaster with traces of original pigment, this ha very expressive face. Nats are spirits were historic characters that became deified or associated with places and elements of nature. Their veneration predates the acceptance of Buddhism but eventually was absorbed into mainstream Burmese Theravada Buddhism. H: 22cm. there are few shallow scuffs but otherwise good condition...

Nice old Cambodian “siri” box. This piece predates the Khmer Rouge regime and circa 60 or 70 years old. In good condition, this has an unusual 4 carved bamboo bands- most only have 1 or 2, so it is quite ornate There is no significant damage other expected signs of use and wear. In recent years Khmer lacquerware is making a comeback, however most of this is used for “home décor” export items, as far as I know no one is currently resurrected items for common household use...

Special offer- marked down from $600. Fine three panel wedding blanket from the Bouyi (Buyi) ethnic group Libo County, Guizhou, China. The Bouyi are a relatively small ethnic group- so embroideries from them have become quite scarce. The supplementary weft “well” patterned embroidery is silk except for the black medallions- the field is all handspun cotton...