Folk Art

As defined by the International Museum of Folk Art, folk art encompasses a broad range of forms – dance, song, poetry, and foods as well as art. It is handmade; traditional, reflecting shared cultural aesthetics and social issues which may change over time; and is of, by and for the people inclusive of class, status, culture, ethnicity, gender, and religion. It may be for community use or for sale as income or empowerment; learned formally, informally, or self-taught. It can be decorative or utilitarian used for daily, ritual or ceremonial purposes.

  • Antique Dhorka Brass Measuring Bowl, India (9500C-VAH) $155

    Antique Dhorka Brass Measuring Bowl, India (9500C-VAH) $155

    $155.00
    H: 3.75” Dia: 3.75” | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This antique brass vessel was a daily measuring bowl for rice or other grains made by Dhokra metal smiths from Eastern India using the same lost wax casting process for over 4000 years. Extremely labor intensive and time consuming, each piece is one-of-a-kind. Dhokra items are beautifully and intricately decorated with simple uncomplicated forms.  This charming piece has a handle for hanging with horizontal striations and downward striated triangles with a smooth patina from age and use. This type of bowl was regarded as a symbol of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and was prized by villagers who could afford them for puja home worship and placed on a home altar.

  • Sale! Antique Female Puppet Head on Frosted Acrylic Stand, China #5275EOK

    Antique Female Puppet Head on Frosted Acrylic Stand, China #5275EOK

    Original price was: $295.00.Current price is: $195.00.
    H: 8.5″  W: 4″  D: 2.75″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Antique Chinese puppets were often made in several parts with removable heads. This antique carved head of a beauty has delicately painted features and an animal hair braided down the back. Since there is an area without hair towards the back, she likely originally wore a hat or headdress.  A hole on top probably accommodated strings.

  • Sale! Antique Fulani Manilla Currency Bracelet, West Africa (3147)

    Antique Fulani Manilla Currency Bracelet, West Africa (3147)

    Original price was: $165.00.Current price is: $135.00.
    H: 2.875” W: 3” Thick: 0.625” Circum: 8.5” | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Fine Fulani round manilla bracelet with parallel ridges over most of surface resembling a twisted metal pieces, topped with  extended flat boss/knob in center.

  • Sale! Antique Fulani Manilla Currency Bracelet, West Africa (3155)

    Antique Fulani Manilla Currency Bracelet, West Africa (3155)

    Original price was: $195.00.Current price is: $155.00.
    H: 2.625”  W: 3”  Thick: 0.25” Circum. 8.25” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Found in Nigeria, this large C-shaped  beautiful antique manilla has rounded smooth surface with fine etched linear design, circles, swirls, stipples, and V-shapes. Fine aged patina, comes with wood and metal stand.

  • Sale! Antique Fulani Manilla Currency Bracelet, West Africa (3165)

    Antique Fulani Manilla Currency Bracelet, West Africa (3165)

    Original price was: $295.00.Current price is: $225.00.
    Ht: 3.125”  W: 3.5”  Thickness: 1”| FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Antique finely-crafted, heavy and massive antique horseshoe-shaped currency  bracelet, elaborately designed with intertwined twisted strands, 11 faceted ends incised with circle and diamond designs.

  • Sale! Antique Hamsa Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11298A)

    Antique Hamsa Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11298A)

    Original price was: $235.00.Current price is: $150.00.
    H: 10.5”  W: 3.25”  D: 2.375” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S. !

    This elegant antique heddle-pulley carved from a single piece of Burmese teak is topped by a hamsa, a goose-like bird  and a sacred Buddhist symbol of wisdom. Auspicious symbolic animal images are believed protect the weaver, assure quality weaving, and pleases the gods and spirits. It is wonderfully weathered from time and use.

  • Sale! Antique Kitchen God and His Wife 16850D-BME

    Antique Kitchen God and His Wife 16850D-BME

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $450.00.
    H: 7.25 ”    W: 3 ”    D: 1.625 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This fine pair of the Kitchen God and his wife are mirror-images of each other seated on backless chairs with multi-sided pedestals and reflect the reverence and solemnity of their responsibility to live above the stove and protect the home. The original lacquer has darkened naturally over time and from exposure to candle and incense smoke leaving a soft patina. The cavity on the male has its original covering while the one on the female is missing, exposing contents inside – a  string tied around the script placed by a monk when it was consecrated. Kitchen Gods radiate warmth, especially when placed near the  stove and make unique house warming or wedding gifts and add positive chi to any household.

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    Antique Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16850H-BME) SPECIAL PRICE

    $785.00
    H: 7.75″  W: 3.25″  D: 2.375″ | free shipping within Continental U.S.!

    Finely detailed and carved from dense wood, this Kitchen God and his Wife monitor the members of the home from their perch above the stove. On Chinese New Year Zao Shen reports to the Jade Emperor in Heaven and a positive report bringsblessings and good fortune, while and unfavorable one brings misfortune. Family members often smear honey on his mouth to sweeten the report.  Near mirror images they wear layered gold officials’ robes with decorative sashes and symbolically hold a hu tablet. They are in excellent condition and add positive chi and enhance feng shui. Kitchen Gods especially pairs are now rare and very collectible and make unique wedding and house gifts.

     

  • Sale! Antique Kota Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa (3166)

    Antique Kota Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa (3166)

    Original price was: $115.00.Current price is: $90.00.
    H: 2.875” W: 3.25” Width: 1.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    This antique manilla is made by the Kota in the northeastern region of Gabon and Congo. A thin wide C-shaped bracelet with an elaborate five section design, each section has unique designs with long striations, grooved crosshatches, long triangles and angled designs. In very good condition with minor losses, pitting and scratches, its rough surface inside is consistent with its age and use and comes with a wood and metal stand.

  • Antique Nuo Opera Female Mask, China (19220WRK) $395

    Antique Nuo Opera Female Mask, China (19220WRK) $395

    $395.00

    The origins of Nuo Opera, performed in provincial villages in Southern China since antiquity, is found in spirit and ancestor worship and Taoism. Performances use a few dozen to 200 masks having distinctive facial features, decorations, regional and ethnic individuality and aesthetic diversity. Usually carved from poplar or willow which are light and less likely…

  • Antique Nuo Opera Mask of Tudi Gong, China (16574BAK) $575

    Antique Nuo Opera Mask of Tudi Gong, China (16574BAK) $575

    $575.00
    H: 10.5”  W:7.75”  D: 3” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This amusing antique Nuo Opera mask portrays Tudi Gong, the benevolent Earth god with a smiling animated face, long eyebrows, a hemp beard and large ears  wearing a high decorative hat. Tudi is a zhengshen, a god who is kindly, honest with a gentle disposition, symbolizing the great power of good, through which evil can be defeated. Nuo was popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties and although they are still performed in rural areas, there are few remaining troupes.

  • Sale! Antique Pair of Double Happiness Oil Lamps, China #16915BAE

    Antique Pair of Double Happiness Oil Lamps, China #16915BAE

    Original price was: $295.00.Current price is: $175.00.
    H:9.25  ”    W: 5.25 ”    D: 3.5 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    The pair of antique oil lamps was meant to bring good luck and happiness decorated on top with a double lozenge, a diamond shaped symbol is a lucky object that is a protective sign casting out demons and means “many treasures.” The five leaves are plum blossoms, symbols of perseverance and purity, and the Five Blessings or Happinesses – wealth, health, longevity, a peaceful death and the love of virtue As an  oil lamp it was used with a wick hanging over the side.

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