Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (368)

350.00 Wearable, rare Northern Chin, woman’s, ceremonial, embroidered skirt circa 50 to 80 years old, Chin State, Burma. All hand woven in two panels with a silk warp and cotton weft, and natural dye. There is some minor fading in a few places (doesn't look in real life as the photos indicate) but the condition and quality of the cloth is outstanding...

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.

Exceptional semi antique, over 70 years old, two paneled Tai Daeng (Red Tai) blanket from Northern Laos with supplementary weft silk Chinese Shou longevity character medallions and key fret design. The last time I was in Vientiane (13 years ago) textiles of this quality are no longer to be found. There are two repairs noted in enlargements 2 & 3 as well as some minor weft design loss...

Good dark soy brown glazed ovoid jar Tang Dynasty from a northern kiln, nice size- H: 12.5cm/5in and D: 16.5cm6.5in. Some kiln flaws i.e., bubble pops and minor chip on side- please examine enlargements.

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. The black border is a later addition made from hand woven cotton. Circa mid 20th century very good condition...

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...

Ensemble of vintage silver and ancient banded agate beads from Sri Lanka. These were acquired in Kandy in 1998 or 1989, the banded agates are all hand carved and are at least 1000 years old (conservatively). The silver beads are high content silver and intricately crafted with a 24K Asian style fastener. L: 52cm/20.5in. Combined eight 34 grams. See last enragement for scale. Free shipping.

Elegantly simple burnished high fired pottery cup from Warring States to Early Han Dynasty. There is one crack and a couple of chips noted in last enlargements. Pretty much to be expected from an over 2000 year old pottery piece. D:9.9cm/3.9in and H: 7cm/2.7in.

Early 19th century lacquer box from the Gadu-Gadan region with domed top and bottom (philone gaunglone). There are 16 separate panels decorated with mythical beasts, dancers and quirky symbols on the side and bird pattern on the top and bottom. Please note last photo for reference which is dated 1850 (possibly earlier) from Lacquerware Journeys—Than Htun. The piece I have is actually far more intricate...

This is a 20th century hand painted on silk and traditionally scroll mounted homage the artist, Miao Jiahui a female painter who was the official personal artist to the Qing Dynasty Empress Dowager Cixi, Depicting chrysanthemums in vases and flower pots, there is a poem in the upper left hand corner translates roughly as “The late king likes to sleep in the garden of the chrysanthemums/ The tall vase is shaped by its surroundings/ Common eyes fear not because the autumn wind and sickness/...

Lao or Lanna Thai, gold and silver foil repousséd Buddha, circa 14th-18thCE. No unisha some restoration- please view enlargements. H: 10cm/4in x W: (base) 7cm/2.8in. Provenance: Bonham’s Australia, Dec 7, 2022, lot 136, previously BC Galleries, Melbourne, Nov 18, 2013

Thai gold and silver foil repousséd Buddha, circa 14th-16thCE late Sukhothai or early Ayutthaya. Some restoration- please view enlargements. H: 7cm/2.8in x W: (base) 4.3m/1.6in. Provenance: Bonham’s, Sidney Australia, Dec 7, 2022, lot 136, previously Soo Tze Orientique, Melbourne, Sept. 6, 1991. Free shipping.

Two Lopuri Culture aventurine jewelry pieces. 1#: Long rectangular bead, from Central Thailand circa 500 BCE. Good transparency. Damaged on one end and the lengthwise hole only goes from the undamaged end to the second hole. L: 6.6cm/2.6in and W: 7mm/.3in x 5mm/.2in. 2#: Fine small aventurine bangle from early same Lopburi Thai Bronze Age Culture. This item is slightly flattened at the bottom but in perfect original condition. Outer D: 6.2cm/2.4in and inner D: 4.6cm/1.8in...

Rare and unique (one of a kind), antique large Thai “parang” or “machete”, general purpose bush knife which was used in cutting and splitting rattan and bamboo. The handle is made of old, and nowadays rare, Thai Rosewood: Dalbergia cochinchinensis which has a nice chatoyance to the grain (sort of looks like Huanghuali to me 降香黄檀). The cutting edge is still sharp and usable; there are a couple of splits which is secured by a metal band. L: 64cm/25.2in.

Fine old, three paneled, supplementary weft embroidered wedding blanket from the Zhuang ethnic group Guizhou Province China. Handspun and handwoven cotton thread foundation and silk for the embroidery. The central area is dominated by the “well” “#” pattern, while the border is a combination of the “well” pattern inside a “wanzi” swastika meander. There are few small faded areas but no holes or tears. W: 104cm/40in and L: 140cm/56in.

Beautiful large Cizhou type black glazed reddish clay, stoneware jar with vivid russet splashes, circa Yuan/Ming Dynasty 1100/1400CE. This has a strong iridescent paraffin surface patina. A few chips under the lip the mouthrim, and craquelure (these are surface glaze cracks only and do not go into the body0 please examine enlargements. H: 38cm/15in and D: 33cm/13in. Free shipping via surface mail.

Wholesale offer: Seven Ming bowls, 6 are already listed on my site (#7365, #7338, #7337, #7328, #7327, #7326) descriptions and enlargements under each catalogue number. The 7th one is in the last two last enlargements- some kiln warpage but no cracks or chips D:13cm/5.1in and H: 6cm/3.2in.

Fine and rare Longquan classic celadon bottle with an unusual shape- like a truncated meiping. The depth of the glaze achieves the ideal “jade like” quality that is much sought after by celadon collectors. The Ming attribution is conservative based on the inward beveling on the footrim and reddish slip visible on the glazed edge, but Yuan or Song cannot be completely ruled out...

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)...

Rare soy brown glazed stoneware vessel made in the shape of a grain silo. This basic style are well documented in Qingbai wares but this is the first I have seen in a brown glaze, also it has a fence going around the base which is quite unusual. It is in excellent condition with no repairs, cracks or fritting of the glaze and it is unusually large. H: 24cm/9.5in and D: 18cm/7in. It reminds me a lot of a Jizhou glaze but this seems heavier and more stable.

Very rare pair of pottery bears. The meaning of bears of during Han Dynasty is somewhat enigmatic, as they are “everywhere” in their material culture i.e., bronze, jade and pottery, but what they signify remains unexplained. Usually they are depicted in a friendly almost cute Winnie the Pooh (ish) fashion, lacking in ferocity like dragons and tigers. Only during the Han did they reach such ubiquity. Both have an amber colored vitreous glaze and appeared to be mostly hand carved. Ther...

Fine Cizhou image of boy carrying a lotus, this symbolizes the continued succession of sons. This piece is in pristine original condtion. High fired stoneware with very stable heavy glaze. H: 17.5cm/6.9in and W: 9cm/3.5in. Guaranteed to be at least Qing Dynasty but possibly Ming.

Heirloom wedding blanket cover from the tiny Maonan ethnic minority of Guangxi, China. First half of the 20th century-made with natural undyed local cotton with the pattern with made from floss silk supplementary brocade weft symbols of phoenix, flowers and butterflies, and is in perfect condition with no holes or tears. Some of the more brightly colored purple aniline dyed silk threads have been rewoven into the patterns probably within the last 40 years but are certainly not new. Thi...

Antique wedding blanket, circa late 19th CE/early 20th CE, from the Bouyi/Buyi (possibly Zhuang) China. This is tightly woven in three panels, from very fine handspun cotton thread with a silk floss yarn supplementary weft “well” pattern. The black cotton lattice gives the overall pattern depth. The wide woven-in border has a “wanzi” swastika meander pattern that seamlessly transitions from the black cotton to silk pastel. There is a simple repair on the edge (noted in enlarge...

Jian ware black glazed bowl with fine russet hare’s fur streaks. Southern Song dynasty. No chips or cracks but there are areas where the glaze from another piece had fallen onto it during firing- the "wabi sabi" is strong in this one, suitable for a Japanese Tea Ceremony. D: 12.3cm/4.9in and H: 6.2cm/2.4in.

Rare antique classical period Kandyan standing Buddha, carved from Jackwood, circa 18thCE. H: 18cm/7in, please note in enlargements outstretched hand in the abhaya mudra and unisha are missing.

Exceptionally rare, handled drinking vessel from the Liao (Khitan) people, circa 907 CE to 1279 CE. There are very few Liao pottery pieces in collections today so this piece would of interest to anyone specializing in this period. Please note last enlargement for reference of a similarly shaped gilt silver piece dating form this period. This particular type of jar shows a much closer affinity with Central Asian cultures than the Han. There are two filled chips and crack on the handle, ...

Very fine, signed, men’s blanket from the Biboki, Feotle'u area West Timor, Indonesia. The the name of the weaver’s family, were woven into this. W: 114cm/44.8in and L: 186cm/73in, except for the yellow and blue lines this is woven from all naturally dyed handspun thread. Dating circa 1950 to 1960.

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 ...

Fine and rare two paneled silk embroidered “wedding blanket” from the small Maonan minority people of northern Guangxi Zhuang Province. This piece is 60 to 90 years old with a hand spun cotton foundation and hand spun silk. The frontal surface of the blanket is decorated with embroidered floral and phoenix symbols and key fret pattern highlighted by “floating weft” threads. The Maonan number just a little over 100,000 souls and are closely related to the Zhuang who are probab...

Song Dynasty Jun ware brush shaper or brushwasher. This was originally the base of flower vase which was later reworked into a scholar’s object. The brown clay indicates this was fired in Henan and in my opinion is representative of the kind that was acquired for the Imperial Qing collection rather then the more typical bowls and saucers. The top surface has more discoloration and minor scratches which indicates, that the repurposing was done some time ago. The book “Chun Ware�...

Special offer- reduced from $1200- now $800 with shipping included. Rare stoneware jar circa Southern Song or Jin Dynasties jar with soy brown glaze and russet and Jun type, phosphatic splashes. This is heavily potted with an applied dragon chasing a flaming pearl. The brown glaze has a subtle metallic iron oxide patina. It is usually assumed that the blue splashes are accidental (serendipitous) rather than intentional in these brown glazes. This piece is in perfect original condition, t...

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.

Collection of circa 1920s antique, mostly men’s cheongsams. Please see text below enlargements for dimensions. These are all hand sewn with good quality silk, with no tears or frays or deterioration of the fabric or thread. A couple have some light fading on the shoulders and minor staining. They may be worn by either sex. Anyway there are 14 pieces in all > additional close ups and condition reports available by request,

Special Offer- Reduced from $1400 to $800. Stunning Northern Song black glazed jar with russet streaks in perfect original condition, from a Henan kiln. D: 10.3cm/4in and W: 6.8cm/2.7in. Stunning Northern Song black glazed jar with russet streaks in perfect original condition, from a Henan kiln. D: 10.3cm/4in and W: 6.8cm/2.7in.

Beautiful black ovoid jar with some small russet speckles and streaks. This piece is in perfect condition with a near black glaze, from a Northern Kiln (most like Shanxi 山西 or Henan 河南), and dating to the Northern Song/Jin Dynasties. D: 14cm/5.5in and H: 10.5cm/4.1in.

Powerful Buddha image from the Tai Lue ethnic group from the Burma, Lao, Thai border region AKA “Golden Triangle”. Superficially these “folk images” lack the grace and serenity of the urban classical styles, but speak more from the heart of the people, as personal devotional merit making acts. This piece dates to around the 18th century; the “waisted” pedestal is typical of this period. Incorporated into the style is the much loved “bhumiparsha“ mudra, with stylized lotus lea...

Fine, old and rare Chang Naga, three paneled body “prestige” cloth with anthropomorphic cowry shell design. Made from very fine hand spun cotton weft and silk warp, the cowry shells have a fine toned aged patina. This is a genuinely old cloth circa 50 to 70 years old (not for the tourist market). This kind of cloth signifies the owner has given a series of feasts or in the past taken a head. There is one 3cm hole, and two frays on selvedge as well as what appears to be an ink s...

Quirky glass ring emulating agate. This piece came from China but possibly is a trade object. I acquired this in a lot of other ancient pieces. A conservative dating to this is Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and guarantees it to this period. There is one crack as well as some bubble burst pitting on the surface. Outer D: 2.8cm and inner D: 1.9cm.

Old Chinese stone ware bottle. This shape is fairly generic and could date anywhere from Jin Dynasty to Ming, so I am taking the middle road and attributing it as Yuan. The mouth is chipped but it has a nice shape, note my photo editing software tend to truncate images, so this piece is more elegant in real life than the photos indicate. The glaze has traces of a paraffin patina. H: 24cm/9.5in and D: 18cm/7in.

Rare complete lacquer tobacco box with trays from the Karen hilltribe ethnic group Northern Thailand. Next to nothing has written about this craft amongst the Karen people although they are known for their water tight baskets using lacquer to seal the weave. H: 9.5cm/3.8in and D: 8.6cm/3.3in.

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...

A pair of old Burmese jade cigarette holders, they stopped making these about 40 years ago, since they have went out of fashion. The white jade has holder (L: 12.2cm/4.9in) has a few scratches and the darker one (L: 6.2cm/2.4in) has naturally occurring inclusions.

Lovely spherical Ge type crackleware glazed Qing jar with very light celadon tone. There are some chips and cracks so please view enlargements. Authentic antique Ge wares have become very rare in the past 20 years, I was lucky to find this one. H: 7.5cm/2.9in and D: 9cm/3.5in.

Very rare pottery bowl and eclectic with Taoist imagery. This is made from a high fired light gray pottery, with traces of a white slip and depictions of musicians, dancers and “demon” masks. This is a funerary piece; the symbology suggests the transition from this world to the afterlife. D: 14cm/5.5in and H: 5.2cm/2in. No cracks original pigments with some kiln warpage

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

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. Lasting only 10 years the Cultural Revolution was one of the most importa...

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.

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.

Simple Han inkstone, polished smooth one side and rough underneath. Signs of exavation and typical distinct petrichor smell. L: 20cm/7.9in x 6.3cm/2.5in. Note last image is from Chinese Inkstones- Simon Kwan, for reference.

Two lidded jars with Qingbai and Jizhou glazes and terra cotta playing pieces. Not Song Dynasty but all hand made. The brown jar Jizhou jar has some discoloration. This white “stones” are 180 and there are 176 of the darker ones. D: 12cm/4.8in and H: 8cm/3.1in.

Unusual grey pottery jar from the syncretic Buddhist Dali Kingdom circa 982CE–1253CE, which was located in present day Yunnan. The Dali State was not fully absorbed into the Chinese Empire until the Ming Dynasty, although it did accept Mongol control and were by and large allowed to manage their own affairs as long as they contributed soldiers. This jar has mysterious animal appliqued faces well as Buddhist images set against peepul tree leaves (Bodhi Tree). This is in good condition with ...

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. This has an artistic calligraphic style sometimes referred as “wild cursive”, which is considered mo...

Rare image of a Qilin Chinese "unicorn" with stunning deep aquamarine Qingbai glaze. This is a fragment of a much larger piece, possibly a finial off a censer. H: 9.5cm/3.9in, W: 7cm/2.8in x 4.5cm/1.8in. The sculpture is in excellent condition, there is a film of hardpacked soil in the crevices which can be (see enlargements), this can be removed with a small blade with a bit of effort, soaking it in water for a week or so will help. I am leaving it on as it speaks to the age of this piece....

Eclectic collection of 11 ground slate stone “arrowheads” circa 3000 BCE-1900 BCE. The artifacts correspond to the Longshan Culture or a concurrent culture. See enlargements for scale and condition.

Very rare Tang Dynasty (618CE to 907CE) terra cotta wall tile depicting the face of a Zhemushou, a fierce guardian earth spirit meant to ward off evil. It is a trapezoidal shape with much of original red and black pigments intact. Some loss to the lower lip (please see enlargements). Lower W: 19cm/7.8in, upper W: 16cm/6.1in and H: 20cm/9in.

Stunning antique abstract carving of a lotus circa late Qing/Republic era, this would have been a temple eaves adornment. W: 48cm/18.8in and H: 23cm/9in. Small damage, painted over in noted in 5# enlargement.

Rare pair of Northern Qi soldiers, circa 550CE-577CE, with original pigments both are in excellent condition- please note the profiles with their jutting jaws and stubborn countenance reflecting their Mongol/Turkic heritage. H: 20cm/7.9in.

Traditional brush and ink Chinese painting of birds done in the style of Jin Cheng 金城. This homage was done in the 20th century and is very attractively mounted a silk scroll. Jin Cheng travelled internationally and was a founding member of the influential Chinese Painting Research Society (Zhongguo huaxue yanjiuhui) that became later known as the Hu Society (Hu she). The writing at the top right is an apocryphal dedication- gifted to Yu Po 1907. H: 116cm/45 and W: 56cm/22in, mounted di...