Eclectic ensemble of five poplar wood print blocks for cloth from Xinjiang Province. As the majority of people of Xinjiang are Muslim Uighur, Turkic speakers- the patterns reflect a Central Asian identity rather than Han. These would have been used by hand as evidenced by the well worn polished grips on the sides of some of the pieces. These are circa 19th century, a couple being possibly older, bordered by the Gobi Desert to the north with rest of the province encompassing the Tak... Click for details
DESCRIPTION: A diminutive pair of Chinese women’s lotus shoes crafted from boxwood to function as a toggle. These shoes are characteristically narrow and pointed for bound feet, as was the custom of the day, and they rest side by side representing marital harmony and the specific wish of, “May you bear sons one right after another.” Deftly carved with relief decoration delineating the raised circular heel and the delicate edge bands, the point of attachment is concealed within the interior of ... Click for details
Always among the most coveted and valuable of the Chinese “Door of Hope” mission dolls is the Traditional Bride. This doll, in pristine condition, dates to ca. 1920. She is dressed all in red with a red silk pao top embroidered with flowers and gold trim. The side-pleated red silk skirt is embroidered in flowers, with beaded tassels hanging down the sides. Her elaborate headdress, with a red veil in place over the face, is heavily beaded, and she carries a red handkerchief with an embroidered ed... Click for details
DESCRIPTION: A very old Chinese wooden incense or chop sticks holder, crafted in the form of a partially unrolled scroll that bends and folds to form the container. On the edges of the “scroll” is a relief carved key pattern border with traces of gilt, while the worn lacquer surface still shows the original designs of a bird, flower, bamboo and Chinese characters. The top of the flat back plate has a shaped and carved design with a center hole for hanging. On its reverse can be seen the old, ... Click for details
Designed to store and serve dumplings, this unusual Qing reed and wood basket originated in China’s western Shaanxi Province, which has a long-standing reputation for producing excellent dumplings. Both the top and bottom are edged with wide strips of bent willow hand painted with flowers. The wood is secured to the basketry with metal studs. A hand forged metal hasp is used as the front closure. Acting as a hinge in the back is a large metal ring loosely fastened to loops, an arrangement that ... Click for details
Unusual Chinese late Qing dynasty to possibly early Republic (late 19th to early 20th century) hardwood stand used to hold opium pipe dampers. A single drawer with brass pull is used for the storage of smoking accessories. The back is nicely carved with a bamboo motif. 13"L x 2"D x 3"H. Very good overall condition with some minor stains to the wood consistent with its age and use. This piece is from the private collection of American expatriates who lived in Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s... Click for details
Fine and rare complete set of 38 black and white plates on hard paper, loose leafed box set of Chinese Baskets, published by the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago by Berthold Laufer- Curator of Anthropology, 1925. There is a two page text preface. All the prints are in mint condition and there is one minor scuff on the box edge. Each print may be individually framed. 31cm/12in x 23cm/9in.
In vibrant shades of blue on a black background, this painting by Chinese folk artist Luo Zhi Jiang has a sophisticated, dream-like quality that seems worlds away from the painter’s rural home base in Huxian County, Shaanxi Province. Luo Zhi Jiang is one of the few Chinese so-called “peasant painters” to establish a reputation abroad. We first met the artist at the Huxian Painting Community in the early 1990s and were struck by his vision and talent. Since then he has had solo shows in London a... Click for details
DESCRIPTION: A double-lobed water (or wine) gourd decorated with braided silk cord and two jadeite rings, one white for fastening to the wearer’s sash, and the green one to prevent loss of the bamboo stopper. Excellent condition with a lovely patina, and dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, Qing Dynasty. DIMENSIONS: 7” high (17.8 cm) x 4 ¼” diameter (10.8 cm).
