Tribal & Folk Art

  • Antique Lion (Chinthe) Ox Cart Ornament, Burma/Myanmar (11306FSE) $325

    Antique Lion (Chinthe) Ox Cart Ornament, Burma/Myanmar (11306FSE) $325

    $325.00
    H: 14.5”  W: 17.75”  D: 3.375” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Finely carved figures were attached to ox cart yokes to protect farmers from malevolent spirits who inhabited all seen/unseen sectors of their world. . This beautifully carved ox cart yolk image is a chinthe, a mythical Burmese lion/dragon creature commonly decorating many everyday items. A propitious spiritual and protective guardian, the animalsymbolizes power, courage, and strength. This carving displays the common traits of a lions with a long face, large eyes, a long sharp nose, a lion-like beard, and a flame-like shape on the top of his head. Masterfully carved with careful attention to details, see the deeply incised hairs that cover his body. The 2-part piece is held together with a wooden plug. Though for daily use, Burmese craftsmen created beautiful objects and finished them with the best materials they could afford.

  • Sale! Antique Mandarin Ancestor In Horseshoe Chair, China #19054BOK

    Antique Mandarin Ancestor In Horseshoe Chair, China #19054BOK

    Original price was: $850.00.Current price is: $695.00.
    H: 12.75” W: 6.625” D: 5.75” | FREE SHIPPING within Continental u.s.

    This masterfully carved ancestor as a mandarin official sits on horseshoe chair set on a footed high decorated plinth dressed in a well-appointed formal 3-button Mandarin long coat and pointed rattan hat. His face is uniquely and unusually individualized with heavy lidded eyes, in a benevolent expression and his advanced aged indicated by the wrinkles clearly depicting a loved individual. This exquisitely carved image in excellent condition with a fine patina was true homage to a revered family member and is one of our finest ancestor figures.

  • Antique Mandarin Official Ancestor Figure, China (16433JSK) $595

    Antique Mandarin Official Ancestor Figure, China (16433JSK) $595

    $595.00

    During the Qing Dynasty, reverence for Mandarin officials and their associated high status with it was so significant that families sought to perpetuate this image through the generations in carved and painted renderings of their ancestors. Ancestor-figures were the highest form of filial piety, and ancestor-worship was a cornerstone of Confucianism. Stuart (p. 82) states…

  • Sale! Antique Mazu “Holy Mother in Heaven,” China, (3429)

    Antique Mazu “Holy Mother in Heaven,” China, (3429)

    Original price was: $1,450.00.Current price is: $875.00.
    H: 19.25″  W: 10″  D: 8.75″ |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING.

    Seated imperiously on a horseshoe chair with carved title “Holy Mother in Heaven,” Mazu is depicted in the imperial style, with a regal flat topped headdress, elaborate robes with dragons, official’s girdle in red and gilt. In excellent condition after years of use.

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  • Sale! Antique Mazu Empress of Heaven in Horseshoe Chair, China  (6003)

    Antique Mazu Empress of Heaven in Horseshoe Chair, China (6003)

    Original price was: $1,050.00.Current price is: $650.00.
    H: 15.375” W: 8.625” D: 7.5” | CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030 or email [email protected] for SHIPPING.

    Mazu, protector of sea, is portrayed as the imperially sanctioned “Empress of Heaven” on an elaborate, horseshoe shaped dragon throne, holding a hu tablet, with elegant dragon robes, official’s girdle, Empress headdress and small feet on gilt fu lion foot rest.

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  • 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.

  • Antique Official Showing His Belt of Office (19047LHE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Antique Official Showing His Belt of Office (19047LHE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $985.00
    H: 15″ W: 6.5″ D: 5.5″  | EMAIL [email protected] OR CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING COST

    This excellently carved civilian official with gilt highlights was commissioned by a family to place on a home altar for veneration and to impress those who viewed it. The imposing ancestor figure grasps his belt of office to show his pride in passing examinations to become a civil official, which leads to a life of rank and prosperity for him and his family. Statues like this are an affirmation of persistence, success, status and power and they honor those who display these characteristics.

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  • Sale! Antique Pair Bronze Khmer Palanquin Rings, Thailand (3378)

    Antique Pair Bronze Khmer Palanquin Rings, Thailand (3378)

    Original price was: $1,350.00.Current price is: $785.00.
    Each  H:4.675 ”    W:3.875 ”    D:.5 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Pair of bronze palanquin rings to transport Khmer Empire royalty and elite decorated with a lotus motif found in Lopburi, Thailand, the western most Khmer outpost.

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

    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)

    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.

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