Fine Zhuang minority textile from Guangxi Zhuang/Guizhou province. Woven in two panels with silk embroidered “diamond and star” patterned border. There is a small repair noted in enlargements, minor fading at the bottom and a few minor holes- all consistent with an old piece, some orange and brighter purple silk thread seem to be a later embellishment, indicating that this piece has been handed down several generations and highlights the well toned abrash of the original pattern. Circa 193... Click for details
Exceptionally fine Zhuang minority textile from Guangxi Zhuang/Guizhou province. Woven in two panels with elaborate silk embroidered meander swastika border. Please note the variety of symbols, even symmetry, and inner borders matching up on the two panels are the hallmarks of the finest weaving skills. Excellent condition circa 1940 to 1950. 67cm/26.5in x 61cm/24in.
DESCRIPTION: A large Chinese boxwood toggle (Guajian) carved as a pair of men’s shoes resting side by side, a symbol of marital harmony and the wish for sons. Very nicely carved in relief with the fine-grained boxwood having a wonderful, aged patina from years of use. There are two circular “lu” (riches) ideographs on the toes (a wish for wealth). These symbolisms explain why such toggles were considered good luck charms. The shoes have remnants of an original red translucent lacquer and are... Click for details
DESCRIPTION: A handsome Chinese wood toggle crafted from a beautiful piece of burl in the shape of a large button, and mounted on a custom stand for display. One of the largest toggles of this type we’ve seen, it would have been threaded with a cord through the projection on the back and worn on a sash as a counterweight to some other object such as a tobacco or water container. Dating from the mid 19th C., Qing Dynasty, it is in excellent condition with a deep, rich patina. DIMENSIONS: 4 3... 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
Beautiful Miao woman’s apron with black calendered cotton cloth, and green commercial (possibly polyester) border, and fine silk embroidered center panel with hand woven silk embellished apron ties, from Guizhou. The colors in center panel are particularly luscious and I would date this piece 30 to 50 years of age. W: 40cm/15.8in and L: 43cm/17in.
Rare two paneled “wedding blanket” from the small Maonan minority people of northern Guangxi Zhuang Province, with silk brocade symbols on cotton warp and weft foundation highlighted by a floating weft “key fret” pattern throughout, this piece is 60 to 90 years. The Maonan textile is unique in that they use floral and zoomorphic designs in their blankets as opposed to the Zhuang patterns which are far more geometrical. Aside from the few inevitable worn spots, that can only be notice... Click for details
Fine and rare circa early 20th century Yi minority lacquered box constructed from leather. I purchased this piece in a Bai minority, weekly market in Yunnan a few years ago. As the Yi and Bai are related ethnic groups it is possible that this is a Bai piece, but since there is really nothing I can find documenting Bai lacquer on leather making traditions I am assigning this to the Yi who do and also live in close proximity to the Bai. Excellent condition. H: 5cm/2in and D: 11cm/4.2in.
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