Pair of Victorian style chairs of elephant shape, carved from one piece of teak, with faux ivory tusks. Heavy! 20th century. These chairs are a replica of chairs presented to President Theodore Roosevelt at a safari in Africa and are now in the National Republic Club on Capitol Hill.
Measurements: H 29", seat height 15", W 27".
Provenance: Private Collection.
A lacquered teak rice scoop from the Shan tribal people who live in eastern Burma and along the northwestern Thai border has a charming monkey perched at the end of its curved handle. The monkey, with both hands under his chin, seems to be staring out in wide-eyed wonder at the world. Some time ago we sold a Shan water ladle of lacquered teak that had several monkeys cavorting along the handle (see 64-31 in our Archives) and our guess is that the monkeys on that piece and the one on this piece r... Click for details
This large carved teak kinnari, mythical half man/half bird creature, surrounded by curving foliage was the equivalent of a hood ornament when it was perched on a two-wheeled bullock cart in 19th century Burma. With its chest thrust forward and head, wings and tail swept back, the kinnari gives the impression of speed. Kinnari and the female counterpart, kinnara, were favorite icons in the Burmese pantheon of fantastic mythical creatures. The form is found on early sandstone carvings dating back... Click for details
A medicine box from Burma in the form of a mythical composite animal is carved of the local dense teak wood and lacquered in red that has worn and aged to reveal a primary coating of black lacquer, creating a pleasing patina. We have seen other old Burmese medicine boxes in strange animal shapes, perhaps carved with the intent of scaring off ill omens. This one appears to be part tiger, part dragon, which is the second such combination we have seen, suggesting that this particular pairing was a ... Click for details
Very large and dramatic pair of carved wooden figures of standing Buddhist attendants, beautifully sculpted and weathered, one figure stands with hands in prayer, the other holds a book open in his hands, each wears a tall crown and bears an expression that conveys peace and calm, 18th century.
Sizes: figure A: 100" high x 19 1/2" wide x 17" deep. figure B: 8 ft high x 22 1/2" wide x 18" deep.
The Ramayana characters of Hamunan, the white monkey god, and Sita, the abducted wife of Rama, form the handle of this hand carved teak rice scoop from Burma. Hanuman is depicted carrying Sita back across the sea to Rama after rescuing her from the evil king Ravanna. The figures are familiar icons in the arts of Southeast Asia, particularly in Burma where the many heroes and villains of The Ramayana are universally recognized because the epic is still regularly performed there in puppet shows an... Click for details
These lacquered wood figures of Buddha and five monks are from Burma, where they are displayed to commemorate Dhama Sakya, or First Sermon Day, in honor of what is believed to have been the Buddha’s initial teaching following enlightenment. The important event is celebrated annually on the fourth day of the sixth month of the Buddhist calendar, which falls sometime in June or July. In the tableau, the Buddha, after just achieving enlightenment, meets five ascetics at the town of Saranath, near ... Click for details
Tropical scenes from a Javanese village are carved in teak wood in long, low formats making them suitable for hanging in shallow spaces above windows, doors or the like. One of the pair shows a festival, with a large gong and children playing. In the other carving, two horses are very reluctantly pulling a cart in a family going to market scene. These pieces are lighthearted and charming, with spirit, movement and rustic appeal. From the early 20th century, they are in excellent condition. Dimen... Click for details
The gaelae roof ornament of the Thai Lanna people is an exotic North Thailand sight when seen silhouetted against the sky. Gaelae (also galae) originally were extensions of roof beams crossed in V-shape at the ends of steep peaked roofs on Thai Lanna structures. More recently they are made as separate carvings and attached to the roof peaks. Explanations about the origins of these unusual pieces vary; one is that they were meant to discourage large birds from landing on the roofs, and so they s... Click for details
