Very large Chinese folk art bamboo basket with a removable inner shelf. The "double happiness" symbols on the side indicate it might have been intended as a wedding basket. Dates circa 1900. 28"H x 19" diameter (23" across the handle). Very good overall condition with some loosening of the bamboo at the bottom.

These 3 bobbins aka thread holders would have been used in China when hand sewing was the major activity of the women of the house. Each bobbin was individually carved and each has a small ball which moves freely within the carved slot. Either individually or as a group, they are nice ethnographic artifacts of the Chinese culture during the Qing dynasty.

This old Mongolian artifact was made from leather hides sewn together with leather cord and then formed into a servicable shape approximating an irregular bottle. Handling and pouring was aided by the wooden handles.

A folk art object approx 150 years old and used for many years as a sake container saki. It is approx 19 inches high and 16 inches at the widest point about 10 inches deep.

This old wooden dragon was hand carved with an expressive face and large black eyes. He balances nicely with his tail on a short pedestal. Gripping his prized pineapple in his paws, he licks it with his tongue, clearly relishing the sweet taste. The pineapple has a short hollow plug on top to provide for an incense stick.

The name Zhang Feng Chao is carved on the underside of the pedestal. This old dragon is a wonderful example of an old Chinese folk art artifact...

This old Chinese ethnic minority needle case is hand carved with geometric marking from end to end. Needle cases were essential tools for all indigenous cultures and frequently became important objects of decorated folk art.

An artifact of past Chinese Culture, this old Abacus has hand made beads of what appears to be clay, specifically stoneware. The frame is a dark hardwood, probably walnut. It is approx 5 long.

Carved from a single block of hardwood, this Chinese drum has great patina aged surfaces. An old folk art instrument, it shows the wear of use during many musical performances at chinese operas and street festivals. When "beaten" with its accompanying drum stick, it has a deep attractive sound.

Fine and rare two paneled silk embroidered “wedding blanket” from the small Maonan minority people of northern Guangxi Zhuang Province. This piece is 60 to 90 years old with a hand spun cotton foundation and hand spun silk. The frontal surface of the blanket is decorated with embroidered floral and phoenix symbols and key fret pattern highlighted by “floating weft” threads...

Though sourced from northern China, this antique powder flask is most likely Chinese ethnic minority from the southern regions. There are 3 flasks for carrying gun powder. Used rifle cartridges are used both as stoppers and bullets are held in the shaped spacers between the powder flasks. It was made by shaping and then sewing 2 pieces of heavy leather (probably elephant hide)together.

This antique lidded container was made for jewelry or other small household items. Obviously hand made, probably by the original owner, it does have a few surface nicks from age and use. With a 5 inch diameter and standing approx 4 inches high, it is a charming artifact of Chinese folk art.

This plain pot metal vessel was used to contain hair oil during the reign of Chinese Emperor Daoquang about 1850. Standing about 6 inches high and 3.5 inches diameter at the widest point, a woman would dip her comb into the oil before combing her hair. I do have an identical matched pair of these but am selling them separately.

This is an antique Chinese set of carved bone dominoes, complete with dice and original wooden box. Carved by hand sometime in the Qing dynasty, the 32 dominos vary abit in shape, size and thickness and the bone dice are a bit off cube.

The box is just under 5 inches x 2.5 inches x 1.5 inches.

This antique Chinese hand carved wooden bobbin still has a length of home spun thread which winds around the middle. The bobbin shows extensive use, with some areas of paint and finish heavily patinated and other areas just worn away.

During the Qing dynasty, carved wood blocks were used to produce the ancestor portraits which decorated the homes of many Chinese families. The Chinese translation of the term "ancestor Portraits" can be misleading to Westerners. These were not portraits of the particular family's ancestors. They were portraits of various Chinese officials, emperor, empress, etc. for whom the family wished to show respect and or allegiance...

This Chinese ethnic minority hair comb was hand carved with scalloped edge detail on both sides. Many ethnic minority women would save the hair from ancestors and add it to their own hair for additional bulk...some groups would add bits of wool also to make the hair appear thicker. Combs were used both for combing and for hair ornaments. Carved from walnut wood and 9 inches long at the bottom

The front of this Tibetan Flint Pouch is decorated with silver and bronze ornamentation and an inset coral bead. The back is decorated with bronze buttons to protect the leather from excessive wear. The pouch still has its original leather strap which would have been used to secure the pouch to the wearers belt.

Flint was an essential and valuable item for nomadic and indigenous cultures and as such was frequently carries in pouch specifically designed for its use.

Beautifully carved powder horn from Chinese Miao ethnic minority over 90 years old from Guizhou Province. The underside of the horn is full of old writing. Unfortunately, no one can read the old writing. Around the turn of the century the forests around the Miao villages were full of game and the men would frequently hunt for game to provide family meals. Unfortunately, most of the game has diminished and many of the hunting skills are forgotten.

Delicately carved with a floral motif, is horn was used to give domestic animals medicine. It is Chinese ethnic minority probably from Inner Mongolia. Horn is about 6" long and has small chip at the end of the bowl. It is a wonderful ethnographic piece for the tribal arts collector

Suspended from a small leather belt loop, this old Mongolian pipe pouch has trekked a long way. This ethnographic relic was clearly hand-made, with a simple closure of leather thongs tied into a traditional knot, and a few beads add a decorative element. For pipe cleaning, there is added piece of twisted metal wire decorated with green thread. Approx 12" long and about 3" at the widest point. It is a relic from a nomadic ethnic culture and its condition.....

Nice old traditional Chinese opium scale with travel case. The measuring stick is ivory and marked to indicate weights. Approximately 13 inches long, this piece is obviously old and shows signs of use but is in good condition.

Traditional Chinese rural style pillow of bamboo. This pillow would be stored with legs folded under during the day. Good condition 16"x4" by 5" high with legs extended.

Depicting Heshang, the Buddhist monk. Painted wood. From Hunan province. H. 22 cm. (33 cm. with stand). Excellent condition with normal age wear.

Made of painted wood, depicting husband and wife, seated on a chair. Most probably from the Hunan Province. The lady still has a small parcel with offerings in her back. We opened it up and found a seahorse, pieces of stone and mica and other materials. H. 27 and 29,5 cm. Condition: heavily eaten by woodworms, which adds to the charme. The figures were treated by the former owner and are perfectly clean.

Paper fan, mounted on rib and guard flat sticks, made of wood nicely lacquered and gold painted with elaborate human, geometric and floral designs. The paper part is made of two concentric bands, richly decorated on both sides with polychrome, gold and silver hand painted miniature scenes showing different characters on various situations. The heads of the characters are painted on ivory, and their garments are made of colored silk, all glued on the paper base...

Antique Chinese wooden stool with a charming, rustic look. The seat is comprised of one solid piece with bold woodgrain, with four legs rounded at the feet and connected by horizontal stakes. Size: 21" height, 17" width

Antique Chinese Scroll made of ink and mineral colors on paper. Story illustrates Dung Fang Shuo, the daoist sage, and auspicious symbols carrying the peach of immortality, with the bat of longevity flying overhead. Two seals are displayed. First seal reading, "Li Guang Jin yin", second seal is the studio seal. Artist's name is Li, Guang Jin from the studio Fu Qing. Circa late 19th Century Dimensions: Overall Size: 78.5" High X 56.25" Wide

A beautiful late 19th/20th Chinese coin sword, usually used for religion ceremony in excellent condition. L:48cm

These 3 small oil lamps were brought back to the US by a Baptist missionary who lived and traveled extensively throughout China. Oil lamps like these were used for light source extensively throughout rural China by poor peasants. Simply made, presumed cut from scraps of tin and soldered into shape.. the lids come off for filling with oil and some original home made wicks remain in place. The tallest is 5 inches high...

Chinese Group of Stoneware Puppetheads and hands on iron stands, 19th century, charming characatures of daily life in China done in earthtones and shades of blue. Round holes of attachment at lower ends of pieces. Hollow cores. Head Sizes range from 6.75"H to 8.5"H without stands, Losses to various heads and hands

From the Yi ethnic minority group, this antique Chinese container would have been used to store tobacco. The decorative cinnabar paint color draws attention to the gentle dome shapes of the lid and bottom sections, which fit together with a deep overlap. The worn areas of the cinnabar expose the black lacquer undercoat...

These Chinese long wooden bobbins were used for winding thread for routine sewing chores. As a household tool, used by generations of women within the family, they were hand carved and painted with the continious use in mind. Inside each bobbin there is a small bead which freely moves back and forth and acts as a noise maker when the bobbin is in motion...or falling to the floor.

Intricately detailed, this miniature scaled model of a japanese tea house was the result of a village folk art craftsman sometime between the late 1890-1920. Each piece is carved from bamboo and is pegged into place. The rice paper shutter doors slide and addition solid shutters are stored in the exterior swinging compartments. The roof is easily removed to reveal the inside which is furnished with an alter, bamboo scroll,flower vase and serving tansu with sliding doors...

An unidentified hard wood was used to carve this set of 4 matching wooden saucers. They would have been used for tea bowls and have traditional red/orange lacquer paint over a treebark carved pattern on the front surface. Each saucer was carved into a diamond shape with gently curved sides and are each was carved into a thin, shallow bowl shape. This is a rare and unusual set in very good condition.

Each piece measures 5 inches x 4 inches and 1 inch deep.

This rural Mongolian bucket is made from lemon wood and was used daily to draw water from the local village well. Truely an ethnographic relic with original iron fittings, and evidence of constant use and old repairs. It is both large and heavy. The diameter of the bucket is 18" and the bucket alone is 14" deep, add another 11" for the handle and iron toggle fitting. The weight is approx 15 lbs. Originally made about 250 yrs ago and probably used constantly for a couple of centuries.

A must have for any lotus shoe collector. This iron was used for pressing lotus shoes. The thin curved end was useful for getting into the toe area. Made of iron, it is somewhat rusty-i.e. pleasantly aged. Length tip to tip is 13"

This early 20th century Chinese natural gourd cricket cage is 4 ¼ inches high and 3 inches on the widest part. The rim of the gourd and lid are carved rose wood, the center of the lid is carved ebony. The center part depicts a sage sitting behind rock in a garden; banana trees are behind him. It is in excellent condition.