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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…
While most families have had prints or paper-cuts of the Kitchen God (Zao Shen) with or without his wife above their stove, carved images were owned by wealthier families. The Kitchen God is syncretic as a Taoist, Popular Religion and Buddhist tutelary deity, protector of the home who was responsible for making sure there was…
While larger stone fu-lions pairs protected imperial and government buildings and rich residences, carvers in provincial areas took great liberties depicting these auspicious mythical animals as folk art in all sorts of public, religious and domestic settings. During the Ming and Qing fu lions were especially popular in smaller versions in homes and gardens as…
The ox (water buffalo) is a very important beast in Burma used for many things including to pull ox-carts and transport people and agricultural and commercial products. Hand-built, ox carts are the pride of their owners and decorated with carved prow-like items carved from kyun, a dense durable teak wood used for Burmese-carvings. Their size…
This lacquered confection-mold was likely made in Fujian province where small vernacular furniture, decorative accessories and functional utilitarian items were made for the new wealthy merchant class of nouveau riche dissociating themselves from the imperial court about 1850-1920. Qing furniture and accessories were more flamboyant than Ming ones and often decorated with gold leaf, ornate pierced…
Representations of wood food offerings with a lacquer coating are often part of the array of images spread on a temple or home altar and shrines and are substitutes or additions to what is ordinarily fresh fruit and food. This one was an auspicious ornament for a Chinese bed. Very auspicious, food offerings are to communicate…
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…
Cast iron hand-crafted kettles called “Tetsubin” in Japanese (literally iron pot”), have been produced for hundreds of years developed for use in the Japanese Tea Ceremony (chanoyu), loved teaware sought by tea aficionados. The iron content of these Japanese antiques altars the taste of boiled water, makes it richer, sweeter and has positive effects on…
Cast iron Tetsubin are teaware kettles produced for hundreds of years and admired by tea aficionados worldwide. These hand-crafted teapots were developed for the Japanese tea-ceremony (chanoyu) and are metalwork pieces used only to boil water. One-of-a-kind finely crafted Japanese antiques like this are made using clay molds and are renowned for their zen simplicity…
Cast iron Tetsubin are tea kettles produced for hundreds of years admired by tea aficionados worldwide. These hand-crafted teapots are metalwork pieces used only to boil water traditionally part of the Japanese Tea Ceremony (chanoyu). Their iron content makes the taste of water boiled for tea richer, sweeter and more mellow; the iron provides additional…
Chinese have historically used various materials for making pillows including stone, jade or wood, but long ago ceramic porcelain and earthenware became the primarily used material. Initially for sleep, ceramic ones were also used as opium pillows. Ceramic pillows were made in many forms and shapes but primarily to cradle the neck. In the winter…
Shiwan stoneware wall pockets were used to hold functional items like flowers and chopsticks and were in most Chinese homes by the late Qing Dynasty. Chopsticks holders were symbols for fertility and traditionally part of a dowry as the word for chopsticks (kuizi) is a pun for ‘speedy arrival of sons’ Perhaps having a two-part…
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