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.

Showing 37–48 of 98 results

  • Sale!

    Antique Peacock Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11297A)

    Original price was: $245.00.Current price is: $150.00.
    H: 13”  W: 3.75”  D: 2.625” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    This Burmese teak heddle pulley is topped by a graceful peacock. The peacock symbolizes wholeness, combining all colors with its spread tail and the fleeting nature of all sentient beings. Drawing on old animistic beliefs,  old folk art Burmese heddles are decorated with carvings of mythical or auspicious animals providing the weaver protection and assuring good quality weaving. Mounted on wood base.

  • Sale!

    Antique Peacock Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11297B)

    Original price was: $245.00.Current price is: $150.00.
    H: 14″ W: 2.675” D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This elegant heddle pulley carved from a single piece of Burmese teak is topped by a peacock, which in Buddhism represents the short-lived nature of all things. Borrowing from ancient animistic traditions, it was believed that auspicious symbolic animal images protected the weaver, assured quality weaving, and pleased the gods and spirits. This antique folk piece  is wonderfully weathered from time and use.

  • Antique Puppet Head with Top Bun, China (5274BCE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $495.00

    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…

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    Antique Rare Carving of a Huntsman with Rifle, China 16743WHK

    Original price was: $315.00.Current price is: $275.00.
    H: 9 ”    W:  3.625″    D: 3.5 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This ancestor figure of a huntsman in the round is unique, standing on a  domed pedestal, facing half right holding a flint lock, wearing a hunting coat, a two-level hat,  traditional under- and outer-garment, and thick boots. As the noted scholar on Chinese wood carvings stated, a similar figure like this “unusual and extraordinary ancestral image of a huntsman with a flintlock gun, was the only ancestral image in his vast collection which “depicts the calling of the deceased.”

  • Antique Silver Ganesh Pendant with Four Arms and Sweets (22043BLE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $395.00
    Ht: 5.125″   W: 3.75″ D: 0.625″ | FREE SHIPPING within continental U.S.

    This vintage massive, heavy silver pendant represents a four armed Ganesh seated within a betel shape frame wearing a crown and reaching for modak, a rice flour sweet dumpling filled with coconut that is his favorite treat.  Ganesh pendants are worn for good luck as he is the God who removes the obstacles in devotees’ lives. The coin silver chain is included.

  • Sale!

    Antique Teak Hamsa Heddle Pulley, Stand, Burma/Myanmar (11298B)

    Original price was: $265.00.Current price is: $165.00.
    Ht: 10.625″ W: 3.375″  D: 2.5″|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 with minor losses with a fine patina. Mounted on a black wood base, this heddle pulley pairs well with item number 11298A.

  • Sale!

    Antique Tuareg Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, North/ West Africa (3149)

    Original price was: $275.00.Current price is: $195.00.
    H: 3.375”  W: 3.25”  Thick: 1.25” Circum: 5.75” | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL u.s.!

    Tuareg wrist and ankle manillas made from sand moulds were usually shaped in a large C. Recognized for their unique etched designs, symbols, motifs and faceted knob ends, each is a one-of-a kind creation. This  bracelet has massive finials with 12 facets containing detailed hand-etched and hammered designs including raised circles. It is in excellent condition with appropriate signs of age and use and comes with a wood and metal stand.

  • Sale!

    Antique Wood Zhenwu the Taoist “Perfected Warrior,” China #19416XLKE

    Original price was: $1,250.00.Current price is: $625.00.
    H: 15.25″  W: 6.75″  D: 6.75″ |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    Zhenwu (Perfected Warrior) is one of the most important and powerful Taoist deities, god of one of the 4 cardinal directions (the north) revered for his potent magical powers to suppress demonic forces. This provincial image for personal devotion and reflects his classic iconography: seated on a throne, bare feet resting on a snake and a tortoise, a celestial scarf and maille armor. Intricately carved he has a powerful presence.

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  • Antique Wood Zhenwu, The Taoist “Perfected Warrior” China (19066B) ME) $575

    $575.00

    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…

  • Antique Zhenwu, The Taoist “Perfected Warrior,” China (16097BME) $595

    $595.00

    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…

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Bejeweled Dancer, Burma/Myanmar #T038PACK

    Original price was: $1,350.00.Current price is: $1,050.00.
    H: 19.75″  W: 7.75″  D: 5″ | FOR SHIPPING QUOTATION CALL US AT 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected]

    This exquisite teak carving of a Mandalay Burmese male dancer wearing a sarong is in a fluid twisted pose emphasizing his strength, balance and grace with his raised hand is in a position similar to a Buddhist mudra. His humble status is reflected his head scarf and a bejeweled sarong with insert glass that reflect light and add movement and depth. His joyful beautiful face stares with open eyes and slightly parted lips It is simply a gorgeous work mounted on a contemporary frosted stand to complement any setting.

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  • Antique/Vintage Bejeweled Wood Naga, Burma/Myanmar (11134B-KRK) SOLD

    $1,133.00
    H: 32″  W: 20″  D: 7.5″  SHIPPING INFORMATION REQUIRED. CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This exceptional naga was one of two that comprised a gong stand. Gongs were used in Burma for both ceremonial and musical purposes in religious, state, or secular settings. A protection figure, this naga is a superb carving elaborately decorated with gold lacquer and pigmentation. He opens his mouth wide bearing mother-of-pearl teeth and a curled blood red mouth and tongue to drive away malevolent spirits, also reinforced by the large glaring eyes circled in red. On first glance it is menacing, but its history as a protector of Buddha Shakyamuni make it prized as a fanciful, gleeful guardian. His scales are arched relief designs of mixed lacquer and ash and they are highlighted with inset cut mirrors and green sequin-like glass “jewels.” It is mounted on a museum quality stand and is in excellent condition for its age and use despite missing an ear.

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