Until recent times, most art was not created as “art for art’s sake.” Rather, decorative designs were used to adorn spiritual, ceremonial and every day, functional and didactic items. Local craftsmen, artisans and production centers created aesthetically pleasing personalized objects for daily use for the joy of it and to please gods and deities often using symbols believed to imbue them with auspicious powers. Common utilitarian objects included dishes, utensils and vessels for eating, cooking, storing or pouring foods, liquids or precious items (perfumes, oils, wines etc.) as well as tools, instruments, weapons and agricultural and weaving implements. These objects reflected the status, financial resources and interests and proclivities of the user or the person commissioning the objects. The VA collection highlights the unique and decorative appeal of these items. Ancient pottery, metalworks, carvings and other utilitarian pieces ranged from plain to highly decorative. Chinese craftsmen produced home items to promote fu to enter the house and Burmese hand looms and oxcarts were topped with carvings to protect the user in the hope that works of high quality would be created. Whatever their intended use or nature of their designs, utilitarian art and artifacts reflect unique skills and provide a sense of comfort and personalization of the environment or culture in which they were made.
Showing 13–24 of 29 results
This charming miniature ewer or small pitcher was made during the Tongzhi Period 1856-1875) and used to pour soy sauce, oils or other liquids. The spout and handle are elegantly curved and thick cobalt blue designs are set on a spotted grey ground with a chrysanthemum on each side and abstract plantain curved vertical leaf…
Scenes with landscapes, distant mountains, bodies of water and architectural structures in nature are common subjects in the Chinese aesthetic and closely related to the scholar’s beliefs and their way of life that includes Four Scholarly Pursuits (siyi) and Four Treasures of the Scholar’s Studio. The three main Chinese belief systems of Taoism, Confucianism and…
This hand-crafted antique wood and metal coconut grater (boti) from South India is an example of the fine artistic Indian carving tradition transforming functional objects into fine decorative piece. Coconut cutters were commonly used in Asia to make use of all parts in cooking as well as for large fruits and vegetables. Some cutters were…
Made in the rural areas of Rajasthan, India and heavily used over a long period of time, this nicely crafted and forged iron folk-art pot was made for multiple functional and utilitarian purposes. Its wide handle allowed scooping water from a river and also to carry a rather heavy load. In addition, the hook attached…
Smoking tobacco has been an integral part of Northern Thailand and Burma/Myanmar Hill-Tribes culture for centuries. Unglazed mould made black earthenware clay pottery pipes like this are found buried by farmers when preparing their fields. This pipe was made in two parts, a rounded bowl on a flat-footed base and an extended stem. The bowl…
Smoking tobacco in Burma/Myanmar and Thailand has been an integral part of Southeast Asian cultures for centuries and are usually found underground by hill-tribe farmers when ploughing their fields in Northern Thailand and Burma. They usually have small chips on the bowl, body and stem and are otherwise very good condition. The bowl often has…
Antique copper based alloy bronze and brass vessels, figures, religious and functional items objects have long been the specialty of East Indian Dhorka Damar tribes metalsmiths who continue to use the same lost wax technique of metal casting used for over 4000 years. It is extremely labor intensive and time consuming process. Their folk art…
Antique copper-based alloy bronze and brass vessels, figures, religious and functional items objects have long been the specialty of East Indian Dhorka Damar tribes metal smiths who continue to use the same lost wax technique of metal casting used for over 4000 years, and extremely labor intensive and time consuming process. Their folk-art style of…
Antique copper-based alloy bronze and brass vessels, figures, religious and functional items objects have long been the specialty of East Indian Dhorka Damar tribes metal smiths who continue to use the same lost wax technique of metal casting used for over 4000 years, and extremely labor intensive and time consuming process. Their folk-art style of…
Antique copper based alloy bronze and brass vessels, figures, religious and functional items objects have long been the specialty of East Indian Dhorka Damar tribes metal smiths who continue to use the same lost wax technique of metal casting used for over 4000 years It is an extremely labor intensive and time consuming process. Their…
Antique copper-based alloy bronze and brass vessels, figures, religious and functional items objects have long been the specialty of East Indian Dhorka Damar tribes metal smiths who continue to use the same lost wax technique of metal casting used for over 4000 years, and extremely labor intensive and time consuming process. Their folk-art style of…
Yixing stoneware pottery items are among the most popular of Asian ceramics. The clay comes from an area near Yixing city and has been used to make teaware and pouring-vessels since the Ming Dynasty. When fired, the clay becomes very insulating allowing it to retain heat, and since it is naturally porous it can absorb…
End of content
End of content