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This antique brocaded document or bible cover from Bolivia is decorated with symbolic stylized flowers widely used in Christianity: passion flowers and roses. Nicolas Monardes, a 16th century Spanish doctor…
Hand carved coconut cutters were commonly used in Asia to facilitate the difficult task of extracting all parts of a coconut which were routinely used. Carvers made unique and functional folk art tools using local artistic motifs in nature. This carving with its intricate circular patterns surrounded by florals impart a warm and rustic feeling that would be a special decorative addition to any style kitchen and an interesting conversational piece.
This Shiwan green chopsticks holder is divided into two parts with holes on top for hanging and small holes on the bottom for drainage. Chopsticks were often wedding gifts from mothers to daughters with many auspicious wishes: phrases for sons as soon as possible, upside down bats with coins and ribbon meaning “blessings in front of your eyes,” and border clouds and thunder symbolizing life-giving rain and abundance.
H: 9.25” W: 5.75” D: 2.25” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!
This antique Chinese wood hand-carved mask was used in Nuo Operas mask in Southern China She is a smiling woman with a slender face, delicate features and hair in a topknot. She is a zhengshen, a friendly female deity (shen) with a kind, honest nature and a gentle disposition and a symbol of the power of good capable of defeating evil. Most Nuo masks are brightly painted, but the age and heavy use of this one has resulted in paint losses. Different colored bases under the reddish-brown indicate it was repainted and reused a number of times. The bright red lips have faded and areas around the eyes, mouth, nose and hair reveal what may be an original first layer of white gesso. Mask enthusiasts will appreciate the resulting paint and lacquer layers which tell the story of this mask’s colorful history, and, yes, the pun is intended. In very good condition for its age and use and for its journey surviving China’s modernization, masks like these were initially considered ethnic folk art offerings to the gods.
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.
Decorative every day Shiwan ware pieces are recognized for their fine craftsmanship, vivid expression, and colorful apple-green and drip glazes. Shiwan potters mixed waste materials with local and inexpensive clay – one of the earliest artistic forms of recycling. Shiwan chopsticks holders are unique kitchen accessories, especially as wedding gifts.
Wall pockets remain a very common decorative element in Asian homes. In China, they are used to hold chopsticks and flowers to bring good fortune to a space where the family gathers. This Shiwan stoneware pocket has 2 very auspicious symbols: a frog and a lotus that symbolize nurturing energy and transformation. With a hole in the back for hanging on a wall, it is great addition to enhance a kitchen’s coziness and feng shui and a wonderful wedding gift.
Decorative utilitarian Shiwan ware pieces are recognized for their fine modeling, vivid expression, and colorful apple-green and drip glazes. Chopsticks were commonly stored in wall pockets with a hole for mounting. Covered with auspicious symbols, they were often part of a bride’s dowry as “chopsticks” is a pun for “speedy arrival of sons.” It can hold utensils, dried flowers, and other objects and is a unique wedding gift.
Decorative utilitarian Shiwan ware pieces are recognized for their fine modeling, vivid expression, and colorful apple-green and drip glazes. Chopsticks were commonly stored in wall pockets with a hole for mounting. Covered with auspicious symbols, they were often part of a bride’s dowry as “chopsticks” is a pun for “speedy arrival of sons.” It can hold utensils, dried flowers, and other objects and is a unique wedding gift.
This glass painting of a peacock was one of a pair of inset panels along with Krishna Playing his Flute (3982) in a highly decorative piece inset in antique Indian cabinet or chest. Beautifully painted with reflective silver accents it is a vibrant and remarkable wall hanging. As both panels were originally displayed together, we recommend they be kept as a pair. Peacocks, the national bird of India, are an integral part of Hindu and Indian art and culture depicted in spiritual and decorative art.
This vibrant glass painting of Krishna along with the panel of a Peacock (3983MCE) were insets in a highly decorated Indian wood cabinet or chest. Krishna is one of the most popular Hindu deities, beautifully depicted here in a bright yellow dhoti, peacock feather crown, and jewels in serenading his adoring gopis with his engaging flute. The unique frame complements the painting’s richness and vintage feel.
The third eye on this topeng bondres is ironic, as it depicts a very odd clown-like, personality. Very well-carved, he has uneven bloodshot eyes, an almost hairless head, angular bony eye-sockets and a recessed face with black age lines on each side of a puny nose. The protruding red lips, open mouth with two teeth and mustache are not balanced and describe a weirdo demanding our attention. He is a strange and wacky Balinese jokester who evokes laughter and is exactly what the Balinese love: a abnormal slapstick clown with physical oddities. Personally collected in Bali in the 1970s, this piece is in excellent condition for its age and use with expected minor paint losses and scrapes.
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