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.
Showing 37–48 of 99 results
The pair of antique oil lamps was clearly meant to bring good luck and happiness to its owners. Painted with gold and red, both colors fu, good fortune, they are decorated on top with a double lozenge, a diamond shaped symbol often depicted as two interlocked diamonds that represent the form of an ancient musical instrument….
Heddle pulleys were used in strip-weaving, a small-loom process producing long cloth strips sewn together creating a larger textile such as blankets and ritual cloths. A source of pride for the carver, heddles were decorated with carved figures or animals symbolizing auspicious beings scholars believe protect the weavers and assure their weavings were of good…
Burmese carvings are known for fine craftsmanship, masterful decoration, and functional items including carved heddle pulleys used in strip-weaving. In pairs at the top of the loom, heddles are functional and aesthetic and usually were decorated with auspicious images symbolizing figures or animals protecting the weaver and assured good quality weaving that pleased the gods…
Puppet theatre has traditionally assumed a major role in Chinese religious rituals and honoring major life and historical events. Local productions with beautifully carved puppets, music, drama and costumes instilled societal and cultural values as well as providing entertainment to audiences of all ages and educating provincial ones. This head has a typical tapering shaft…
The Keith Stevens’ article “An Unusual and Extraordinary Ancestral Image” describes a similar figure of a huntsman with a weapon, a flintlock gun, which he stated was the only ancestral image in his vast collection which “depicts the calling of the deceased.” (Stevens, Journal of Hong Kong) His piece was from Hunan, South Central China,…
Ganesh is one of the most distinctive images in Hinduism. His elephant head symbolizes the gaining of knowledge through listening (large ears) and reflection (large head). His ample belly symbolizes the whole universe contained inside him and his ability to digest whatever experiences life brings and is a sign of well-being and of his role…
This elegant heddle pulley with a hamsa is carved from a single piece of Burmese teak and portrayed with deeply cut wings to express well-articulated feathers. Having an unusually long tail, it runs from his rear and curves to the top of its head. Its feet are atop two connected heart-shaped panels that hide the moving thimble between them providing a more artistic feel. This piece is in very good condition, is wonderfully weathered, and has with minor losses with a fine patina covers its originally painted surface. Mounted on a black wood base, this heddle pulley pairs well with item number 11298A.
Historically nomadic tribal peoples who traversed the Sahel region and Saharan-Africa, for centuries the Tuareg created African metalwork and jewelry in the form of arm and ankle bracelets that were symbols of wealth and status, fashion adornments worn ceremonially for births, coming of age, marriages and burials, used to trade or barter for animals and…
One of the most important and revered Taoist deities, Zhenwu was a protector of the state and the imperial family venerated for his ability to heal and protect China and its emperor and during imperial dynastic times, he was considered a patron of soldiers and a protector of national security. He was a renowned emperor,…
Zhenwu (aka Xuanwu, Wuandi and Zhenwudadi) is one of the most revered Chinese Taoist figures, venerated for his ability to heal as well as to protect his country and the emperor. There are various depictions of his attire, but here he wears a plain black robe with an official’s belt which he holds in his…
Zhenwu was known by many names and titles, the most common ones being the True Warrior, Perfected Warrior or Northern Emperor. As one of the most popular Taoist-Deities during the Ming and Qing dynasties he was an emperor known as protector of the state and the imperial family. During the imperial dynasties was a patron…
Artisans from Burma/Myanmar are masterful carvers of lyrical teak figures in action, whether they are dancers, nats, attendants, or deities. Although there is a metal hook on the back ostensibly to attach the piece to a surface or wall to embellish architectural religious, governmental, or secular structures, it was fashioned to be viewed in the…
End of content
End of content