Catalog (491)

Nice little wood carved architectural element in the shape of a foo dog circa late Qing Dynasty. This is in excellent condition with original lacquer. L: 14.5cm/5.8in.

Nice little wood carved architectural element in the shape of a foo dog circa late Qing Dynasty. The tip of the left ear is missing, otherwise good condition with well-preserved original gold and red lacquer 14.cm/5.5in.

Intriguing gold and black lacquered depiction of an Taoist immortal brewing the elixir of immortality in a gourd-(possibly Japanese). Condition: some lacquer losses, please examine enlargements. L: 35cm/13.8in x W: 17.5cm/6.9in.

Sarawak, one cent coin 1896, H (Birmingham mint). D: 28mm, weight 9 grams.

Very rare, large lidded rattan basket from the Nung Rawang ethnic group of Northern Burma, Kachin State. The Rawang are a subgroup of the Kachin people and live in some of the last great wilderness forests left in Burma. Also it is interesting to note that the men do the weaving and with advent of plastic bags this pretty much an extinct craft. This is the oldest basket from this group I have ever found- conservatively at least 50 years plus. HL 42cm/16.5in and D: 27cm/10.6in. I hole...

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.

Special Offer: Reduced from $500 to $300. Rare and unusual 3 paneled piled blanket from the Rawang ethnic group in the Kachin State, Burma. The ground is woven from hemp, the reddish head ends are dog hair .There are a few areas that have a bright colored commercial yarn but other than that, all natural dyes. In the red field there are some bits of missing weft noted in enlargements. This piece is circa 1950 (plus or minus), definitely old an old piece. The Rawang are an upland living ...

Three historical coins from the old Russian Empire. 1) Ivan the Terrible- silver kopek, 1553-1589, Moscow mint, W: 15mm. 2) Boris Godunov- silver kopek, 1598-1605, Moscow mint, W: 13mm. 3) Peter the Great silver kopek, 1689-1725, W: 12mm. Free shipping.

Rare 4.9cm/1.9in Thai stoneware bowl from the Sankampaeng kiln circa 15th/16th CE with two fish in the center and scalloped cavetto, there is well done repaired chip on the inner rim noted last enlargement. This is a classic and definitive piece for the Sankampaeng kiln as the incised/impressed fish motif is only found on ceramics from this Thai kiln. There are some blue flambé highlights in the center, probably accidental but quite attractive. D: 21.5cm/8.2in and H: 5cm/2in.

Rare 4.9cm/1.9in Thai green glazed stoneware bowl from the Sankampaeng kiln circa 15th/16th CE with two fish in the center and scalloped cavetto, there is well done repaired chip on the inner rim noted last enlargement. This is a classic and definitive piece for the Sankampaeng kiln as the incised/impressed fish motif is only found on ceramics from this Thai kiln. There are some blue flambé highlights in the center, probably accidental but quite attractive. D: 21.5cm/8.2in and H: ...

Beautiful traditional Chinese brush painting of the Buddha mounted on a beige silk scroll, excellent condition. He is sitting on a lotus throne with his right hand raised in the Shuni mudra symbolizing patience and discipline. There is an apocryphal dating of 1845 Buddha’s Birthday, Daoguang reign and signature of Reqin. Mounted size is L: 203cm/80in and W: 78cm/31in- actual painting size is L:131cm/51in and W: 66cm/26in. Circa last quarter of 20th century.

Two bone “knives” from the Golden Triangle. I acquired these in Chiang Mai Thailand about 20 years ago and was told that were used by a “hill tribe”, for ritual ceremonies that involved the symbolic letting of blood to heal the patient. Using bones in spiritual practices is a syncretic tradition in this region as the boundaries between Buddhism and the earlier Animist practices are blurred and seem to work in harmony with one another. These are old genuine old Shaman’s artif...

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...

Complete set of five Shan esoteric Buddhist images. These consist of a Buddha, three monks and a chedi. These are covered with traditional gold and back lacquer and the bodies are made from compressed powdered herbs or temple incense ash. They have a quirky abstract quality to them, their facelessness represents that the individual is inconsequential but has the potential for becoming a Buddha, on the bottom are the eight Burmese zodiac symbols based on the days of the week. For some r...

Charming and unusually small black and red lacquer vessel from Kenteng, Shan State, Burma. A very cute piece and genuinely old- circa 80 years. This piece is uncommon in that it has six feet instead of the usual four. The entire piece is covered in red lacquer with a black lacquer overcoat on the outside. There is surface craqueleur as to be expected from authentic old lacquer but no breakage in the body. D: 13.5cm/5.3in and H: 8.2cm/3.2in.

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 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....

Quirky strands of bronze beads and Kushan charm in the shape of a Hindu Trishula (trident). I acquired these with a group of Kanishka coins that were found in the same place, circa 100CE. Large strand 25cm/9.8in and small strand 9.5cm/3.8in (the holes were too small to fit on the same cord as the larger one). Weight total: 40 grams. See last enlargement for scale. .Free shipping Hong Kong Registered Airmail.