Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Southeast Asian (108)

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.

Good circa early 20th CE pair of miniature Lanna Northern Thai Buddhas. The small one on left is amulet sized (H: 5.2cm/2in) with traces of gold and black lacquer and the larger one is a small votive image (H: 7.2cm/2.8in). I believe these to be cast in zinc. Free shipping international shipping via Hong Kong Registered Airmail.

Lovely Cambodian lacquer betel box with decorative herring bone woven bamboo wall. Good condition, wear as to be expected with an old piece, but no damage. This was made Pre Khmer Rouge (before 1975). Although lacquer craft has been resurrected for decorative export pieces, artisanal made for domestic use are no longer produced due to its time consumption and the availability of cheap plastic. D: 23.5cm/9.2in and H: 9.8cm/4in.

Very fine red lacquered saber (dao) scabbard fitting from the Nùng people Vietnam. They are well known for their sword making so it makes sense they would put the same effort into their accoutrements. This is an old semi antique piece circa 1950 excellent condition and intricate carving. L: 14cm/5.5in W: 5.9cm/2.3in and Thickness 2.4cm/1in.

Very fine, complete (both original inner trays included) betel box in excellent condition circa first half 20 the century. Composed of red, black and green lacquer depicting monkeys against an abstract foliate background. Some surface craquelure as to be expected on old lacquerware. D: 18.5cm/7.2in and H: 10.5cm/4.1in.

Lovely old Burma betel/siri/pandan box-a rare find with complete and original trays circa 1940 to 1950, and no restoration. The lid is semi domed with 8 planets pattern and central peacock medallion, the side has dancers and an assortment of abstract mythical beasts. Minor losses to lacquer on the lid (please see enlargements). Signed in Burmese script Saya(Sir)Kyi ~Myingabar Quarter,Pagan. Please see last enlargement for reference. D: 19cm/7.5in and H: 17cm/6.8in.

Beautiful, unopened, three paneled, semi antique, woman’s sarong from Flores Island (probably Ende), Indonesia. Circa 1950 +/-. All hand spun and woven cotton and natural dyes. Very soft and in perfect condition. The incorporation of indigo dyes is quite subtle giving it the depth. L: 142cm/56in and W: 158cm/60in. Free Shipping

Ten pieces of old natural coral, acquired individually (piece by piece), over 20 years ago in Northern Thailand originating from various hill tribe ethnic groups. Excellent color and may be worn singly or as a group. 31 grams total. Scale noted in enlargements in metric. Free shipping.

Good antique storage basket from the Bidayuh people of Sarawak. The lid is made from the skin of a sambar deer while the basket plaiting is rattan and the inside is lined with bark. I purchased this Kuching, Sarawak in 1988, and it was old at the time, so it's 38 years older now. There is a hole in the lid as well as some loss to the bark lining- please examine enlargements. H: 5ocm/19in and D: 35.5cm/14in.

Quirky pair of fishing bobs from the Mentawai Islanders off the coast of West Sumatera. These are probably multifunctional as I have seen them described variously as turtle net buoys, fishing bobs as well as net weavers. The larger one has a fishing hook fashioned from a nail as well as old stone bead. L: 49.5/19.5in and 53cm/20.8in.

Old song bird catcher from the Minang people of Central Sumatra. I bought this in Padang in 1988 and it was already old at the time, so I can date this to about 1950. A classic honey trap, right out of the KGB spy book. A hot and seductive female bird is placed in the back of the cage and when a dumb male bird comes along and lands on the perch in front this will trip a peg that will cause the net in the front to come down and now he is caught. See last two enlargements...

A pair of small “utility” knives made by Iban people of Sarawak, East Malaysia. These were frequently carried in the sheaths of their larger brothers, the Dayak mandau. The blades are hand forged, possibly scavenged steel from the leaf springs form an old car. Circa last half of the 20th century. The longer thinner knife has carved deer horn at one end (repaired see enlargement) . See enlargements to see details of the carvings. Both blades are sharp and serviceable...

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.

A collection of 10 kihks from Lanna, Thailand. All are hand carved from wood (except two which are carved from buffalo horn- noted in enlargements) and incised auspicious Khom script, from Lanna Thailand. Contrary to how I see these often advertised they, have little to do with attracting women, but are worn by on the side by men for luck and prosperity or used by women to ward odd “evil men” and attract money. It’s not uncommon that they be put in cash register...

Collection of four hardwood “tun tun” pig trap markers made by the Iban people of Sarawak, East Malaysia, circa last half of 20th century. All in good condition. The longest one is L: 59cm/23.2in

Pair of old hand carved spoons from the Island of Timor. 1#Classic intricately carved heirloom buffalo horn spoon. Length: 23.5cm/9.2in. 2# Anthropomorphic spoon carved from a coconut shell. L: 15.4cm/6in and W: 6.2cm2.5in. Both are circa mid-20th century and in very good condition.

Vintage teak Buddha, carved around 1980/90, traces of pigment and signed at the bottom in Burmese script, in the classical Pagan style. H: 14cm/5.5in and base W: 9.5cm/3.9in. Sculpturally very well proportioned. Free shipping

Three antique Timorese wooden statues commemorating a departed loved one. These were kept in the “attic” of a home and were not meant to be free standing. I bought this from an old Australian collection which was collected in the 1980s in West Timor, so these date circa 1950’s to 1960s. Carved from hard wood in good condition with minor checks in the wood, please examine enlargements for condition and scale.