Catalog (45)

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.

Very rare lacquer box with geometrical pattern and convex shaped lid and bottom. The lacquer is quite thick on this piece with an unusual motif. I have only seen two boxes in this style which came out of Yunnan, China, so these may have been made as trade items to Yi minority who seem to make similar, though less sophisticated, patterned lacquer pieces. This was made in the first half of the 20th century, and except for a chip on the lid surface it is in excellent condition. D: 14....

Exceptionally rare small lacquered box from the Karen people of Burma. This is an antique piece circa early 20th century (possibly earlier). I have yet to find any other examples of pieces with the carved design on the bottom (either in the field or any published literature). There is some minor loss to lacquer to at the edge of the top. D: 9cm/3.6in and H: 8.8cm/3.5in. Free shipping.

Genuine antique Shan lacquer box circa late 19thCE. Most Burmese lacquer being offered on the internet purported to be antique are vintage at best and new at worst. I acquired this in Yunnan, China along the Burmese border but of Shan (nationality in China). Although there is some damage the craftsmanship is exquisite which is why I put a grain of sand in a couple of the images to put the work into perspective. Personally I prefer Shan lacquer more than Burmese because the designs tend to...

Nice old red and black lacquered Cambodian “siri” box, with lovely incised scrolling fern pattern This piece predates the Khmer Rouge regime and circa 60 or 70 years old. In good condition, there is no significant damage other expected signs of use and wear and the lid is a bit warped. 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 ...

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...

Two rare Burmese/Shan small betel containers, 60 to 100 years old with “ku-nan kan byat” patterns and original inner trays. Genuine antique Burmese lacquer is almost impossible to find these days; I picked the larger one up in a small shop Luang Prabang, Laos in 1998. H: 8.7cm/3.4in and W: 10.2cm/4in, and the smaller one, H: 6.7cm/2.7in and D: 7.7cm/3in, in Chiang Mai this year. These have some old repairs, as well as a pleasing craclature typical of antique Burmese lacquer.

Charming box with sliding lid at the top carved into the shape of an elephant, circa early 20th century with traces of original lacquer. Please examine the enlargements to see the harness and trappinsg carved into the body. Good condition. L: 17.5cm6.9in and H: 10.2cm/4in.

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.

Nice old carved hardwood box from the Shan State, Myanmar with traces of original lacquer. This was collected around 1988 in Northern Thailand, and originally dates to early the 20th century. Please note this is not a tourist piece artificially stressed to look old. The Shan have a strong shamanistic tradition which seems to blend well the local Buddhist religion, possibly this was used to house shaman paraphernalia. The box is carved from a single piece of wood and the sliding lid has...

Unusually large lacquered betel container with two inner trays, from Karen ethnic group. Circa first half 20th century, some loss to the bottom. H:11.5cm/4.5in and D: 12.6cm/5in.

Rare early 20th century Yi minority lacquered box constructed from leather. I purchased this piece in a Bai minority, weekly market in Yunnan near Dali around 2002. I assume this is now an extinct craft no longer being done because of the availability of cheap plastic items as well as the migration of artisans to better paying jobs in the city. Very minor lacquer losses on the edge. Excellent condition. H: 5cm/2in

Superb antique lacquered bamboo woven box from the Lisu ethnic minority, Northern Thailand. This piece is in good condition with minute losses to lacquer but perfect woven body. Please view enlargements to appreciate the fine detail on this, also note that this double walled. L: 11.cm/4.2in, H: 5.5cm/2.3in and W: 6.5cm/2.5in.

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.

Rare “kiln waster” possibly from the Qingliangsi Kiln, Baofeng, Henan- see reference in last enlargement. D: 11.8cm/4.7in and H: 4cm/1.6in. Very shiny black glaze. There is one star crack on the side as well as “slag” adhesions on the rim. Please examine enlargements. May still be used for tea ceremony if you don't mind a little "wabi sabi"

Republic or a little later, black and red lacquered “Dou” offering stem bowl (usually fruit) for an ancestral altar table, with gilt garden and scholar’s theme. This from Guangdong and made for a Chaozhou family, aka Teo Chew, aka Chiu Chow. W: 21cm/8.2in and H: 13cm/5.1 in. There is some warpage, noted in enlargements but if just turn it the right way you won’t notice.

Nice old Cambodian lacquered basket. Very few things survived the reign of the Khmer Rouge which makes old baskets quite rare. Circa 70 years old, there are some old repairs noted in the enlargements. D: 30cm/11.8in and H: 11cm/4.2in.

Fine old lacquerware antique, cylindrical box, possibly Karen or Shan, from North Thailand, with rattan bindings, these are becoming increasing difficult to find these days. Some loss of lacquer on the surface. H: 15cm/5.8in and D: 7.3cm/2.8in.