Catalog: Antiques (370)

Nice old Thai sticky rice “lunch box”, from the Karen ethnic group Northern Thailand. This is about 40 or 50 tears old with typical double wall construction. There are areas that have been lovingly repaired with some nylon cord. To the purist this may be seen as a distraction but I see time and an ethic where nothing was ever wasted- this was a valued very personal object. Next to it I have placed a contemporary one...

Ensemble of Qing Dynasty three matched lacquered panels depicting classic Chinese scenes. May be displayed individually or as a triptych. 1# Charming Qing Dynasty lacquered wood panel depicting a mother and child (we’re assuming a son) being presented to the father. Lifelike representation of people beneath clouds and willow trees. H: 27.5cm/10.8in and W: 20cm/7.9in…...

Lovely pottery small lead glazed stove from the Eastern Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE). Minor fritting and a couple of chips on the upper corners, but overall, in very good condition for a two thousand year old piece. There are still random traces of the silver patina on the surface. I scraped off a small section the surface layer and a beautiful silver patina is revealed (see enlargement #5), up to the buyer of they want to clean the whole piece...

Very rare “letter” purse woven from bamboo from the Karen ethnic group along the Thai/Burma border. Before the advent of plastic bags and Velcro items such as these were treasured labor intensive daily necessities. This is an antique- circa 70 to 90 years old made from all natural materials and is designed to make it as waterproof as possible...

Special Offer: Reduced from $250- now $150. Large Ming jar with blue underglaze chrysanthemum pattern and perfect condition. This was fired in Guangdong Province and locally this type is referred to as a “gunpowder” jar although, I don’t know if this was it what it was really used for. Included is a decent wood lid. H: 20cm/7.9in and W: 19cm7.5in.

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...

Strand of Khmer glass beads circa 11th to 12th century. Generically classified as Indo Pacific Trade Beads, these were sourced in Cambodia. These are the only complete strand I have found in this translucent color, possibly they were trying to emulate carnelian. L: 60cm/24.6in. See last enlargement for scale. Free shipping.

6187 250.00 Very rare old Cambodian woven bamboo lacquered scroll box with a partial mother of pearl inlay design, circa early 20th CE. This is an unusually large piece in good original condition, some surface loss to the lacquer but no breakage on the woven walls. The body is still pliable, the lid is a bit scuffed- to be expected from an old item. H: 42cm/16.5in and D: 13cm/5.1.

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.

Classic green glazed Han Dynasty grain storage silo. This item has been repaired (by me), please examine enlargements for condition. This has an excellent lead glazed silver patina and well executed little bears for legs. H: 27cm/10.6in and D: 20cm/7.9in (at the roof).

Rare “sizhi” (four straight sides), inkstone circa Ming Dynasty. Good condition with one small chip noted in last enlargement. Please pay attention to the detail of the carving in enlargements (especially the footrim), the lines are graceful, and understated. A simple, elegant and still completely usable piece. L: 11.6cm/4.5in, H: 2cm/.8in and W: 7.8cm/3.1in.

Special Offer: 6 Antique/vintage Miao (possibly Dong) minority embroidered clothing panels. These are listed individually on my site at $50-$80 each. Search Miao Panel on my site for close ups of individual pieces. L: 54cm/21in x W: 17cmcm/6.5in (more or less). Free shipping.

Fine example of Chin weaving from Myanmar, probably from the Khami subgroup. Complete front breast panel from the Chin State. All hand spun cotton circa 50/70 years old. One repair and frayed on the top minor repair (may be seen in image of the back). L: 67cm/26.3in and W: 36cm/14.1in. Free shipping. airmail.

Rare 4.9cm/1.9in Thai green glazed stoneware bowl from the Sankampaeng kiln circa 15th/16th CE with two fish in the center and scalloped cavetto, there is well done repaired chip on the inner rim noted last enlargement. This is a classic and definitive piece for the Sankampaeng kiln as the incised/impressed fish motif is only found on ceramics from this Thai kiln. There are some blue flambé highlights in the center, probably accidental but quite attractive...

Charming and unusually small black and red lacquer vessel from Kenteng, Shan State, Burma. A very cute piece and genuinely old- circa 80 years. This piece is uncommon in that it has six feet instead of the usual four. The entire piece is covered in red lacquer with a black lacquer overcoat on the outside. There is surface craqueleur as to be expected from authentic old lacquer but no breakage in the body. D: 13.5cm/5.3in and H: 8.2cm/3.2in.

Quirky Cizhou type, heavy, completely black glazed, waisted beaker from circa Ming Dynasty. Possibly this was used in a Chinese Apothecary, but this is just a best guess to its function. The hole on the bottom was made prior to firing and is part of the original design. Lovely thick glaze and aside from a couple of chips on the outside of the foot, in very good condition. H: 13cm/5.1in- width at base : 8.7cm/3.8in and width at mouthrim : 11cm/4.3in.

Good Cizhou type high fired, well balanced, ovoid soy glazed with russet highlights jar from a northern kiln, circa- Five Dynasties to Northern Song. There is a possible chip on the outer mouthrim (see enlargement)- difficult to tell if this happened after firing or before. There are remnants of kiln supports on the concave foot. H: 9.6cm/3.8in and D: 10.3cm/4in.

Lovely Jin Dynasty circa 1115-1234CE, from a northern kiln, jar with near tea dust colored soy brown glaze, excellent original condition, heavily potted with two lugs. Please note tow subtle russet splashes in last enlargement. D: 10.5cm/4.1in and H: 8.1cm/3.2in.

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...

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.

Old hand carved wooden ink pad box circa first half 20th century. I think this is probably a Yao item, but as I purchased it in a Bai ethnic minority market in Yunnan, over 20 years ago, we’ll assume it is Bai. This has a floral pattern carved on the lid. The ink has long ago dried up. Nice natural patina. L: 7.2cm/2.9in x W: 5.8cm/2.3in x H: 3.2cm/1.3in.

Very rare early 20th century textile from the Mulao ethnic group Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Province. Little is known about these textiles other than they show a close affinity with Maonan weavings and are no longer being woven by this people. This is a two paneled blanket with original border and supplementary weft silk and cotton embroidered pattern of birds, mythical animals and flowers on a cotton field “key fret” pattern...

Glass charm emulating white nephrite Jade inscribed with delicate Arabic verses from the Koran on both sides. This set is in silver with a copper loop to hold on a chord. I bought this in Hong Kong so original provenance is unknown- possibly from the Xinjiang, Turkic Uyghur speaking area. Jade was very popular during the Mughal period in India and I would date this piece circa 19th century. Excellent condition- no chips or cracks. L 5.3cm/2.1in and W: 3.4cm/1.3in. Free shipping.

Lovely Qing Dynasty pendant of a monkey on a leaf, “staring at the moon”, carved from carnelian. An unusually fat piece with a rich dark color rarely seen in Chinese carnelian. L: 4.7cm/1.8in and W: 3.5cm/1.4in. There is one small chip on the back of the hole noted in 2nd enlargement. Included is an adjustable macramé cord, and free shipping via Hong Registered Airmail.

Finely detailed carved bamboo bitong with five panels depicting classic three friends of winter and scholar themes. I bought this in Guangxi Zhuang, in 1995, late Republic period. There is a hole intentionally drilled at the bottom, otherwise excellent condition. H: 13.4cm/5.2in and D: 6.8cm/2.8in.

Unusual collection of 6 old “prayer cloths” from a Taoist Master’s ceremonial robe (see last enlargement). For generic purpose’s these should be considered to be from the Mien group as they came from Vietnam and are circa 50 to 60 years old- woven from handspun cotton. They all have the same basic pattern indicating they are probably from the same priest’s outfit. These used to be quite easy to get about 20 years ago but now almost impossible to find...

Very rare man’s ceremonial tunic from the Chin ethnic group, probably Falam Township, Chin State Myanmar. I would consider this an antique heirloom blanket between 1910-1940 finely woven from hand spun cotton thread and natural dyes. This incorporates the classic Chin diamond twill weft pattern as well as double side embroidery. W: 128cm/50.5in and L; 189cm/74.5in. This only one from this Chin group I have ever managed to collect...

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.

Large textile from Laos with a “void” silhouette deer pattern ...

Semi antique Timor sarong made from all natural dyes and handspun cotton circa 1950/1960. Both top and bottom have “buna” weft embroidered panels. There is 7cm x 4cm piece missing on one edge, noted in enlargements. L: 110cm/43.2in and H: 103cm/40.5in.

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. The central panel has some holes and has unrav...

Pristine Jatim Millefiore bead circa 600-900CE, Pre Islamic Javanese Hindu era. Perfect condition. L: 19mm x W: 22mm. Perfect condition. Free shipping.

Pristine Jatim Millefiore bead circa 600-900CE, Pre Islamic Javanese Hindu era. Perfect condition. L: 17mm x W: 18mm. Perfect condition. Free shipping.

Pretty little antique white Burmese jade pendant, adjustable cord and free shipping via Hong Registered Airmail. H: 31.8mm and W: 19.7mm. Carved with bat, coins and lingzhi with splash of apple green at the bottom. Free shipping.

Strand of ancient Afghani glass beads, circa Roman era. These are original beads (not re-carved bangles or glass vessel fragments). Some are decorated with gold leaf, others exhibit dichroism. Traces of calcification. A total of 27 beads (note 3 are broken). Total length: 50cm/19.8cm- note last enlargement for scale- 17 grams. Free shipping.

Two small Ming jarlets. Sort of wabi-sabi, but no major damage. There are some surface glaze firing cracks and fritting on the mouth rim on the larger jar. Larger jar D: 6.7cm/2.7in and H: 5.3cm/2.1in, smaller jar D: 5.8cm/2.3in and H: 5cm/1.9in.