Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian (68)

Good Karen basket waterproofed with natural tree lacquer, good condition- i.e. no damage. Circa 40 to 50 years- purchased in the 1990s in Mae Hong Song, along the Thai/Burmese border. I was back there recently and old baskets have all sold out. See last enlargement for reference.

Semi antique, large woman’s sarong from the Stieng/Xtiêng ethic group Vietnam. Over 60 years old, this is woven from all handspun cotton threads. There is a patch, 7cm x 2cm fray on one edge and small 1cm hole. L: 203cm/79on39.8in and W: 94cm/37in.

Rare woman’s skirt (pukhang) from the Kachin/Jingpo ethnic group, Northeast Burma. This is two panels with supplementary weft trim on the ends made of dog hair. Mostly natural dye and indigo. It is quite a durable weave with denim like feel. There is some staining, one small hole as well as a bit of dye bleeding. I could only find examples this in “Textiles of the Hill Tribes of Burma”: Michael C. Howard (plate 107) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Accession Number: 2002.312...

Elegant ebony wood carving of a Balinese beauty circa 1960 to 1970- possibly older. This was obviously created for the tourist market and panders to the Western ideal of the female form of the time. I traveled to Bali in the 80s and 90s and found their arts and crafts leaning more to the impressionist side, where figures looked like the Navi from Avatar. Given its hardness and cost, ebony is usually only given to master craftsman to carve from...

Nice old black and red lacquered cylindrical woven bamboo box from Northern Thailand No holes or broken bits. L: 19.5cm/7.2in and D: 4.5cm/1.8in.

Vintage clear cloisonné lidded box, employing the plique-a-jour technique, lovely muted pastel colors with a “pierced” lid, most likely meant to be a potpourri to put scented herbs and flower petals in. This is a complicated and time consuming craft- please note that the bottom is cloisonné as well as having some curvature to the lid - it would have been much easier just to give it a copper bottom and making the lid flat...

Fine vintage, unused (as new) elegant hand loomed men’s longyi, classic checkered pattern (reverse image on the back). I bought this in Mae Sai around 1988, W: 1.74m and L: 1.09m. Has a few minor stains but otherwise condition excellent. Free shipping via Hong Registered Airmail.

Stunning mid 20th century emulation of a fan painting depicting a mouse eating lychees. The apocryphal seals say that this was housed in the “Imperial Library of Qianlong”, “Room of Three Rare Treasures” unfortunately we cannot decipher the artists seal. Painted and mounted on silk, there is some foxing in on the backing as well as a couple of minor creases- needs to be framed with new matting, but would look beautiful with a little effort...

Lovely vintage wearable woman’s dress from the Tai Dam ethnic group Vietnam. The “waist band” is all hand woven cotton cloth, while the black central panel is black raw silk, colorful silk embroidered wide bordered hem is particularly nice. Good condition, with a couple of fading streaks at the waist panel, as well as a repair in the last enlargement. Old piece- made in the 60’s or 70’s. W: 136cm/54in and L: 97cm/38in. Free shipping

Rare phallic charm from Lamphun Northern Thailand- serendipitously enough, where they have an annual sausage festival. Originally these were worn by men at the waist and were thought to protect the wearer from any harm to his penis and in a more general sense they also are believed to bring luck especially in terms of “wealth generating or protection”, so a woman might keep one in her cash box to increase your money flow or in her purse to prevent it being “snatched”...

Quirky Burmese reverse glass painting incorporating colored foil of Popa Medaw, (Google Popa Medaw as there is quite a good write up on her myth), 22cm x 32 cm. Acquired in Chiang Mai over 20 years ago, it was around 30 years old at the time. Nats are spiritual beings that predate Buddhism in Myanmar but they manage to coexist without conflict.

Ensemble of 6 pieces of vintage jackets. The are hand sewn silk, probably from the 1970's (+/-). Dimensions and condition in enlargement text.

1# Vintage woman’s peasant dress from Isaan, Eastern Thailand. Good condition and very wearable. Made of all handspun cotton cloth with silk embroidered wide hem border. Width at waist: 151cm/59in and L: 86cm/33.8in. 2# Vintage woman’s peasant dress from Isaan, Eastern Thailand. One faded spot otherwise good condition and very wearable. Made of all handspun cotton cloth with silk embroidered wide hem border. Width at waist band: 128cm/50.5in and L: 84cm/33in.

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.

Large vintage “bush knife” from Lanna Thailand, this is an all purpose tool with a thick spine and very sharp edge- quite heavy as well. The blade is fixed with a steel collar and woven rattan and comes with a bamboo basket type sheath. Total L: 54cm/22.2in (blade L: 29cm/11.5in and handle L: 25cm/10.5in). This is an artisanal village made piece and not mass produced.

Women’s jacket from the Dong minority in Longsheng Terraces, Guangxi Zhuang, China. The black outer cloth is commercial denim, the lining is handmade indigo cotton with a beautiful purple hand embroidered panels on the back and upper sleeves. Some damage (please examine enlargements) but repairable or very wearable as is. Chest width 50cm/19.5in, total end to end arm length 153cm/61in and shoulder to bottom height 72cm/28.3in...

Unique cricket box with glass front, wire mesh cover and copper repoussé image of crickets and “Eight Horses-八駿全圖 ” after the style of China’s most famous 20th century artist Xu Beihong -徐悲鴻. Hand crafted this is a charming and functional vintage piece from the 70s or 80s. L: 11cm/4.6in W: 4cm/1.6in and H: 6.5cm/2.6in

An ensemble of three ancestral figures from the Island of Nias, Sumatra. All come with an exotic wood custom made stand, dimensions in enlargement, acquired from an Australian collection with no significant age attribution.

Small wooden statue of a female seated ancestor image covered in natural lacquer from an Ibanic ethic group in Kalimantan- (Indonesian Borneo). Circa last quarter 20th century, this an authentic tribal piece- not for the tourist market. H: 16cm/6.2in, acquired from an old Australian collection.

Complete set of five Shan esoteric Buddhist images. These consist of a Buddha, three monks and a chedi. These are covered with traditional gold and back lacquer and the bodies are made from compressed powdered herbs or temple incense ash. They have a quirky abstract quality to them, their facelessness represents that the individual is inconsequential but has the potential for becoming a Buddha, on the bottom are the eight Burmese zodiac symbols based on the days of the week...

Large Chinese traditional mounted silk scroll, temple stone wall rubbing of a “Thousand Armed Guanyin” Goddess of Mercy. Mounted H: 236cm/92in and W: 111cm/43in, actual painting. H: 178cm/70in x W: 96cm/38in.

Finely detailed woman’s full length three paneled tube sarong from Ende, Flores Island, Indonesia. I bought this in 1988, this was used when I bought in Ende and has remained in storage since then. All natural dyes and handspun, hand woven cotton. Pristine condition with soft and comfortable weave. W: 150cm/59in and L: 1400cm/55in.

Mixed lot of lovely ungraded undyed coral polished branches of angel skin, pink and red coral etc. I acquired these in a Hong Kong Auction from a jewelry factory going out of business. 96 grams and 130 pieces. See last enlargement for scale metric scale. Free shipping via Hong Kong Registered Mail. Some have holes but most don’t.

Classic Nephrite Cong. This is oldest Chinese form still used in its art today. The earliest examples were from the Liangzhu Culture circa 3400 BCE. It’s theorized that the square outer shape represented the while the inner round shape represented the Heavens. Nice nephrite jade - very smooth and tactile may be used as a toggle or scholar’s contemplation piece. H: 5.7cm/2.3in and W: 2.7/1.1. 72 grams.

Four well carved jade charms- the cicada is Burmese jadeite, the nephrite melon and fish have russet surface highlights and the tiger is particularly nice- carved in the Ming style. Scales are in enlargements. Total weight is 31 grams.

Formal Indian Sari (just like the ones you see in Bollywood movies), worn for weddings or important religious occasions. This has never been worn. I acquired it from an estate where it has been sitting in a trunk for the past 20 years, and the inside humdity, which caused the brown dye to bleed into the embroidered border somewhat. Please examine images. This L: 5m x 1.4m and is handloomed silk. It was woven in Banaras in the two toned Tanchoi style and silver thread “jari” embroidery...

Phallic charm from Lamphun Northern Thailand- serendipitously enough, where they have an annual sausage festival...

Good brush painting of a tiger by the artist Li Shou Lin dated 1978. Painted in the traditional style water color and ink mounted on silk and heavy paper. Unfortunately the mounting paper has suffered mold damage while the painting itself was affected in a minor way in the form of some discoloration, having said this if framed with new matting the flaw is very negligible. Please examine enlargements- will be mailed in a cardboard tube...

Group of three vintage household woven cane baskets acquired in Kandy, Sri Lanka in the 1990s. These were old at the time of acquisition so I would date them to around 50 years of age. Very sturdy and good condition. Dimensions: 1# 19in/48cm x 15/40cm, 2# 15in/38cm x 8in/20cm, 11in/28cm x 5.5in/14cm. Two have wood bases and tops while the the midsize one is covered in skin (I am guessing goat).

Lovely traditional brush and ink painting of a lady This is signed DENG FEN 鄧芬, but is probably a later copy of his work. Apocryphally dated 1943 this was hand done in the later part of the 20th century. Backed on mounted on silk paper total dimensions are 100cm/39.5cm x 40cm/15.8in.

Fine Sri Lankan silver and smoky quartz crystal bracelet, it is hinged with a pin lock- please see enlargements. Perfect condition, from the workshops in Kandy and acquired from the very cool Mr. Waruna Jayashinghe, owner of the Samadhi Center- Nature Resort. Total weigh 44grams. Inner dimensions 58mm x 50mm.

Fine pair of black temmoku bowls with russet rims and traces of silver leaf patterns. Both are in excellent condition. D: 9.1cm x H: 3.9cm. Suitable for tea ceremonies. These are about 90% correct for being of the Song period, but the lack of excavation traces and inside the foot rim being to level and flat throws doubt on this, also the patterns are usually seen on Wuyi Shan Kiln pieces and not in Jianyang.