Catalog (89)

Set of Baluchistan panniers with nice silky wool, circa 50 to 80 years old, some wear around the edges but pile is good in condition (no holes etc). L: 120cm/47 x W: 60cm/23in.

Early 20th century Tibetan saddle rug with traditional maroon colored border and backing. I bought this in Zhongdian (aka Shangri-la, Yunnan), over 20 years ago. Some worn areas (please note enlargements) and the sewn on border is coming loose, just needs to be resewn, but overall not bad. With border L: 140cm/55in x W: 75cm/29.5.

Lovely old hand tailored Moiré heavy blue silk men’s chapan. I purchased this over 30 years ago in Peshawar (and has been in storage ever since), so I assume it is Pashtun. It was old when I bought so it is safe to say it is at least 50 years old. It is an excellent condition, no tears, stains etc and still quite wearable. There are shoulder pads, one inner pocket, and two slit pockets on the oustside. Shoulder width 53cm, chest width 65cm, sleeve length 66cm and full length 112cm....

This is a very fine and rare antique/vintage piece circa 55/60 years old in perfect condition. I purchased this in 1990 and it has been in storage ever since. This was embroidered by the Dhebaria Rabari ethnic group from East Kutch, it should be noted that this group has ceased doing embroidery over 40 years ago. W: 120cm/47.2in and H: 73cm/28.8in. The silk triangular pieces at the bottom are probably a later addition. These were only hung above entrance doors on special festive occ...

Circa early to mid 20th century, pair of silk sleeve panels with Phoenix, “Shou” characters (longevity) and butterflies. Pristine condition. Total (unfolded) L: 64cm/25in and H: 12cm/8.6in. Please note these are scanned images.

Vintage red bride’s wedding jacket with embroidered auspicious symbols (phoenix, dragon, and mandarin ducks). This would date to 1970/1980. Here are a few pulled gold embroidery threads so care needs to be taken. It is fastened with a metal zipper. The Dimensions are -shoulder width: 37 cm/14.5in, mid width: 40cm/15.8in, bottom width 47cm/18.5in, and front length (top of shoulder to bottom): 57cm/22.5in.

Lovely pair of embroidered quatrefoil round panels, circa first half of 20th century. The stitching is in excellent condition but some discoloration on the edges. Diameter 20cm/8in.

Lovely late 19th century to early 20th century (over 100 years old), meditation panel carpet. These were usually woven like a runner with several carpets together. Dimensions: 65cm/25.5in x 65cm/25.5in. This could use a wash and two of the corners are week with missing pile and repair (see enlargements). This has the classic Ningxia yellow field.

Rare men’s loin cloth from the Northern Chin, Haka group Burma. Mantle of Merit: Barbara Fraser has a good write up on these, and has a couple of pieces dating to late 19th to early 20th century, she also writes these were rarely used after 1950 circa first half 20th century. The two end panels are different colors of which the lighter blue colored is original while the darker piece.. Made from hand spun cotton with silk patterns. A few small holes, the worst being noted in enlargeme...

Mid 20th century textile from the Mulao ethnic group Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Province. This is a two paneled blanket with original border and supplementary weft silk embroidered pattern phoenix and flowers on a cotton field “key fret” pattern- all handspun threads. Good condition - no holes or missing embroidery threads. L: 110cm/43in and W: 66cm/cm/26in- with blue cotton border L: 153cm/59in and W: 110cm/43on.

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, note the use of narrow warp ikat bands throughout this piece. 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. The center panel is stitched loosely at the top as it was mea...

Rare and unusual 3 paneled piled blanket from the Rawang ethnic group, 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 (+/-), definitely old an old piece. The Rawang are a tiny upland group, numbering only 65,000, living in some of the most remote...

Lao, continuous supplementary weft “kit” woven festival banner. This is created from all handspun silk and natural dyes. I acquired in Vientiane, Laos in 2010, and this is highest quality of this type of weave available. Included is simple hand carved “elephant” textile hanger. An exceptional home décor accent piece. Please note I put a grain of rice in the last enlargement to highlight the detail of this work. L: 186cm/73in and W: 18cm/7in.

Beautiful woman’s shawl from Java circa 1950 with floral (buketan) design, from the Pekolongan or Lasem area North Java. There are a couple of 5mm holes and a minor tear noted in last enlargements. Ex Dr John Yu, collection Australia. L: 190cm/75in and W: 85cm/33.5in.

Colorful Stieng woman’s wrap around skirt from the Xtiêng (Stieng), estimated population of 7000, minority Binh Duong Province and Dong Nai Province of southeastern Vietnam. Hand woven with handspun cotton field and patterns of combination synthetic and cotton commercial yarns, this piece dates to circa 1970 to 1980 (i.e. post Vietnam War era). The Keith Harring (ish) anthropomorphic images are quite unusual. Provenance- Rob C. Clark Ethnobotanist PhD. Excellent condition, no damage...

Collection of three vintage/antique cloth printing blocks from Tamil Nadu, carved from hard wood (probably Jackwood) all in excellent condition, acquired in India 30 years ago. Very decorative- may be hung on as a wall art ensemble. Large one: H: 26.3/10.4in x W: 16.4 cm/6.4in, round one D: 20.6 cm/10.2in and, small one H: 17.5/6.9in x W 8.3cm/3.2in.

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. W: 83cm/33in and L...

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.