Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (370)

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 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...

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.

Song Qingbai bowl with high foot rim and thick classic aquamarine Qingbai glaze, there is a 1cm hairline off the mouthrim (noted in last enlargement) otherwise good condition. The glaze is absolutely fabulous. D: 14cm/5.5in and H: 7cm/2.8in

Intricate carved wall panel circa late 19th/early 20th century, with peach blossom and chrysanthemum floral medallions carved into hexagonal and cruciform shaped lattice work. See second enlargement to see crack and loss to corner- if framed properly these will not show. W: 46cm/18in and W: 24cm/9.5in

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.

Fine old Burma lacquerware box. This piece is quite rare in that it is a complete set with three compartments on top and one shallow “hidden” compartment in the base. There is an old repair on the cracquelure on the lid as well as some traditional restoration on the undecorated portions. This is an early 20th century piece (possibly 19th century) from the Gadu-Ganan region, Shan State. D: 16.cm/6.2in and W: 16cm/6.2in.

Four shades of Pyu glass beads excavated near the ancient Pyu city of Sri Kstera, (modern day Pyay), Burma, circa 200CE- 1100CE. Beads from Sri Ksetra are well documented in Early Landscapes of Burma- Elizabeth Moore & Early Cultures of Mainland Southeast Asia- Charles Higham. Please see enlargements for scale. The green beads are very rare, and their colors are sublime, I have seen black beads in mixed strands before but this only one I have ever seen that is completely black...

Rare Zo/Tedem "tawnok"- reference "The Art of the Zo: Philadelphia Museum of Art". The Tedum aka Tiddim are a subgroup of the Chin, who live mostly in Northern Burma, Chin State, as well India, and Bangladesh. This piece is circa 1950-1960, spun from commercial, hand dyed cotton thread with some single faced supplementary and diamond twill patterns. Please see enlargements to appreciate the complexity of this weave...

antique china jade 48 carved Burmese Jade pendants. Total weight 407 grams, please examine enlargements for scale and quality- shipping included.

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...

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...

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.

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

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...

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...