Catalog (100)

Rare collection (5 pieces) of pottery tobacco pipes used by the Rau/Brau people. These were acquired in Laos quite a few years. Most likely fired at the Yixing Kilns, in Jiangsu Province- the same place that made opium pipe bowls. These would date from late 19th century to first half 20th century- the ones with reddish clay being the oldest. They have some small chips consistent with old tribal pieces. As far as I know these pipes were unique to the Brau, and would today be considered ...

Rare ceremonial rice cutter from the Karen people (this particular one is from Northern Thailand). This knife would only be used on the first cutting of the season and as with most all of the rice cultivators in Asia there is a great deal of ritual and importance given to this act, regardless of the religion i.e. Buddhist, animist, Hindu etc. The animal bone handle has a wonderful original patina and the blade is still quite sharp. Circa 60 to 100 years old. I am always fond of t...

Exquisitely, embroidery panel from the Yao, sometimes referred as the Mien, ethnic group from northwest Laos near the Vietnamese border. This piece is the back panel from of a woman’s jacket with silk embroidered thread on hand woven indigo dyed cloth and is in excellent condition (one tiny pin hole and later embroidery noted in enlargements), circa 75 years old. L: 58cm/22.8in and W: 50cm/19.8in. Free shipping Hong Registered Airmail.

Ensemble of 6 breast panels from the Khami or Mro subgroup of the Chin ethnic group, Arrakan State Burma. Antique 1950s or older. Sizes- L: 66cm26in and W: 34cm/13.4in (more or less). Condition as pictured.

Classic semi antique Laotian textile from the Tai Daeng ethnic group. This was acquired in 1991, just when Lao was opening itself for tourism and was about 30 years old at the time so this would date pre Vietnam War era. It is mounted onto a commercial Chinese chintz cloth border (looks original), made from all hand spun cotton and silk thread in the embroidery (except for the black pattern). There is one small repair noted in enlargements. L: 148/58.2in x W: 144cm/17.2in (without border...

Good semi antique, Timor ikat textile (circa 1960’s) with two crisp “rooster” (which symbolizes masculinity) indigo and white bands running the length of the cloth. Excellent condition- no damage. Natural dyes and hand spun cotton threads. L: 194cm/76 (not including threads at the end) and W: 103cm/40.5in.

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.

Unusual Jackwood paan (betel) tray with well carved Kandy style floral medallion in the center, this motif also emulates carvings on pillars in some ancient temple. The WHO advised the Sri Lankan government against the chewing of betel and it is now illegal- that is not to say that this really stops people from still doing it though. This an antique piece with one crack. W: 29.5cm/11.5in x W: 29.5cm/11.5in x H: 6cm/2.2in

Good bamboo handled knife with hand forged blade from the Karen ethnic group Northern Thai/Burma border. Total length 31cm/12in with good sharp edge- small nick at the tip off the blade which could be honed out, about 60 years old.

Well made old storage basket, circa 1950s, acquired in Lombok, Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia in the 1980s this has been in storage since then. This has a slight trapezoidal shape to the lid and body. Excellent condition- no damage. Top- W: 24cm/9.5in x 21.5cm/8.4in and H: 9.5cm/3.8in.

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

Very rare, Gulong Miao children’s jacket from Guizhou. This is a side opening style, made from all hand woven cloth (except for the inner sleeve lining) with hand embroidered anthropomorphic figures, on a calendared greenish cotton ground. This pattern was only used on children’s clothing from this Miao subgroup. Excellent condition. Width: 75cm/29.5in (sleeve tip to sleeve tip) Length: 39cm/15.3in (collar to bottom). Free shipping.

Fine cowrie shell necklace from northwest Burma, probably Naga on a hand woven macramé cotton cord. This is an old set, circa 80 years with an excellent worn natural patina and almost porcelain like surface these need to be handled to be appreciated. Please note that each bead is hand carved to nest into the other so when strung together and worn the necklace hangs in a circular fashion. Cowrie shells are probably the most ubiquitous ornament to have ever adorned a human being sin...

Women’s skirt from the Bahnar (Ba Na) ethnic group from the Central Highlands of Vietnam, woven from fine handspun cotton using all natural dyes. The weaving is very intricate and refined, note the use of narrow warp ikat bands throughout this piece. This is one single panel which would have used to make three other skirts. See last enlargement for a complete example. L: 2.9meter/9.5feet and W: 66cm/26in. I have two complete skirts- please contact if interested.

Good silk textile with tiger embroidery- all the threads are silk except the black. This was acquired in 1991 and has been sitting in a box ever since then. W: 69cm/27in x L: 149cm/58.5in

Wonderfully carved wooden Lanna Tiger, the hole in the mouth means this could be worn as amulet or placed on an altar. On the bottom is a lightly incised spiral glyph underneath the base indicate this was meant to be protect the owner. Bear in mind that amulets are very popular in Thailand and most are mass produced in either as terra cotta tablet or cast in metal- this is a one of a kind piece. H: 7.5cm/3in and W: 4.8cm/1.9in.

Beautiful women’s apron style skirt from the Bahnar (Ba Na) ethnic group, Central Highlands of Vietnam. Woven from fine handspun cotton using all indigo and natural dyes. The weaving is very intricate and refined. This piece is has small tear at the corner (see last enlargement) and a couple of frays but otherwise excellent condition and dates to 1960 to 1970. Google Bahnar Bob Mc Kerrow to view photos of women wearing this kind of garment taken in the early 70s. Dimensions of belt without fri...

Very fine old skirt from a Northern Chin ethnic group, Myanmar. The indigo dyed upper panel is woven with very soft handspun local cotton while lower embroidered panel is all silk. Please note enlargements to see the delicacy of the work. Circa: early to mid 20th century. Good condition. L: 138cm/54in and W: 80cm/31.5in. Free shipping.