Picasso made wonderful toys for his children out of found objects; this one by a Native American probably would have delighted him. Fashioned from the jawbone of a caribou  More »

Picasso made wonderful toys for his children out of found objects; this one by a Native American probably would have delighted him. Fashioned from the jawbone of a caribou and baleen (whalebone}, it is delightfully sculptural. Some wear to the lower points, naturally, but no cracks or breaks. Probably around 1900-1920. Approximately 14-1/2 inches long by 4-1/2 inches wide in largest point.   « Less

A Thai Lacquered and Gilt-Bronze Figure of Buddha 18th / 19th Century Standing with both hands raised in abhaya mudra, wearing a jeweled garment and an elaborate tiered  More »

A Thai Lacquered and Gilt-Bronze Figure of Buddha 18th / 19th Century Standing with both hands raised in abhaya mudra, wearing a jeweled garment and an elaborate tiered headdress 20 in. tall, height slightly reduced from missing top point. Rubbed gilt as always fantastic piece. attanakosin came into being when King Rama I ascended the throne in 1782. He decided to establish the new capital on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River for better security from Burma. King Rama I was determined to build a new capital to revive the glory and splendor of old Ayutthaya. The new capital was proclaimed and hence began the Rattanakosin era or Bangkok period under the glorious reign of the Chakri Kings. King Rama I choose a site just north of Wat Pho an old 17th century temple. With the Chao Phraya on the west and the Lod Canal on the east, the new capital was far more defensible. In accordance with Thai customs, the first task was laying the foundation pillar for the new city. The City Pillar Shrine or Sao Lak Muang was established on 21 April 1782. Later King Rama IV, an avid astrologer, felt that a more auspicious location was required. The shrine was moved to the present location on 5 December 1852. Construction of the Grand Palace commenced on 6 May and King Rama I occupied the royal residence on 13 June. Hundreds of boatloads of rubble were shipped from the ruins of Ayutthaya to build the city walls and public buildings of Rattanakosin. At the same time, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaeo was constructed and completed in 1784. The Emerald Buddha was brought across the river from Wat Arun and installed in the new temple in the same year. Within the walls of the Grand Palace grew a self- contained city that held the seat of government and religion. It was the pride of the Chakri dynasty and Rattanakosin, the city that rose to glory from the ashes of Ayutthaya. - (LO.568) Status: For Sale Reference#: 123_2394 Condition: vg reduced Year: 1800   « Less

The statue is a power figure, (popularly refered to as a fetish) from the Songye tribe of Zaire. A classic african carving from a collection of very early museum quality  More »

The statue is a power figure, (popularly refered to as a fetish) from the Songye tribe of Zaire. A classic african carving from a collection of very early museum quality pieces. Figure has copper ''nails'' in the face a large horn on the head and muliple snail shells and corn cobs strung around him. On his shoulders there are several smaller figures. From an estate auction of major African and Egyptian pieces some of ancient antiquity. 28'' tall and about 10'' wide. Circa 1900. Status: For Sale Reference#: 281351 Condition: See Description Year: See Description   « Less

An incredible Retablo done in Mexico that is unlike any I have every seen. It shows a Mexican peasent falling out of a cart and the Virgin Mary appearing in front of him.  More »

An incredible Retablo done in Mexico that is unlike any I have every seen. It shows a Mexican peasent falling out of a cart and the Virgin Mary appearing in front of him. There is a lengthy dedication on the bottom no doubt about whatever happened to the peasant in the cart. A most unusual and rare Retablo that is most likely one of a kind. Circa 1850. Status: For Sale Reference#: 282564 Condition: See Description Year: See Description   « Less

Nice American Indian Navajo rug or carpet. Also great as a wall hanger, perfect for early american or arts and crafts home. Larger than usual size (43x70'') in fine  More »

Nice American Indian Navajo rug or carpet. Also great as a wall hanger, perfect for early american or arts and crafts home. Larger than usual size (43x70'') in fine condition. Status: For Sale Reference#: 111_141 Condition: very good Year: c1910   « Less

1930''s Navajo Doll mother with child in papoose, normal patina to cloth doll with hand decorated features. Very large 18'' size, fully clothed, unknown if original clothing  More »

1930''s Navajo Doll mother with child in papoose, normal patina to cloth doll with hand decorated features. Very large 18'' size, fully clothed, unknown if original clothing both hand stitching and machine stitching (to multicolored blanket/shawl) Status: For Sale Reference#: 141_978 Condition: good Year: c1930   « Less

Antique tribal / ethnic coral bangle set with silver coins. Originally used as an adorned accessory to facilitate carrying loads on the head. It would be placed on the head  More »

Antique tribal / ethnic coral bangle set with silver coins. Originally used as an adorned accessory to facilitate carrying loads on the head. It would be placed on the head and a bowl or basket would be balanced on top of it, decreasing the pressure on the wearer. Made in India. Outer diameter is approximately 4 inches. Inner measurement is over 2 1/2 inches accross, allowing for a wide wrist. The silk ties can be opened to make the bangle larger or slightly smaller. Consists of a deep, earthy red cotton cloth with crocheted borders and embroidered terminals to prevent fraying of the fabric. The outside of the bangle is set with a double ring of coral beads, over which a ring of silver coins has been attached, whether original to the bangle, is not known. The ends are tied with a silk cord, ending in orange and red tassles. The woven work at the ends of the bangle is extremely fine (see enlarged ''photos), done in shades of orange and red, a little frayed in bits, but still very beautiful. The coral is salmon coloured and in places where pieces are missing, we can see that they were set over metal rings, which give strength and solidity to the bangle (bearing in mind it''s original purpose). Some of the coins are too worn to decipher clearly, but at least one shows that it is 1/4 Indian Rupee, with embossed flowers around the border and dated 1918. Condition: besides the wear and tear of about 100 years mentioned above, the bangle is in good, wearable condition and makes a beautiful, aesthetic addition to any serious antique jewellery or handworked textile collection. Status: For Sale Reference#: 3927 Condition: good Year: 1890 Title: ANTIQUE TRIBAL ETHNIC CORAL BANGLE SET W SILVER COINS   « Less

Antique vellum fan with pierced carvings, painted bird and wonderful Nouveau whiplash frame. Made in Java / Dutch Indonesia and probably over 100 years old. Total length is  More »

Antique vellum fan with pierced carvings, painted bird and wonderful Nouveau whiplash frame. Made in Java / Dutch Indonesia and probably over 100 years old. Total length is 12 inches. Carved and openwork handle , forks into two elaborately swirling guards, tapering towards the ends. The fan is of the handscreen variety, with a rounded pear shape. It is made of buffalo hide, transluscent in the solid parts, and futher carved and pierced in a tiny pattern of stylised flowers near the bottom and a peacock tail fan with concentric circles of solid hearts, outlines in black ink. The painted bird in the center is probably a peacock (according to the feathers), but looks somewhat like a vulture. The tiny piercings are amazing in their regularity and show the technical skill of the craftsman who made the fan. Condition: amazingly, the fan is not torn anywhere. The paint on the bird is rubbed in parts. The frame, which is very thin and delicate as it tapers, has snapped on the whiplash bend in two places.(there are 4 ''guards - two in front and two on the back). This would be a fairly minor matter to restore. Of note: the fan has not been stored properly in the past and should be flattened by placing it flat with a weight on it. Status: For Sale Reference#: 3500 Condition: good Year: 1890 Title: ANTIQUE VELLUM FAN EVENTAIL PIERCED PAINTED, FRAME   « Less

3 miniature Native American dolls, believed to date to the 1950''s.Man, woman and child doll.The little man, the longest of the 3, measures just under 2 inches. THe 2 larger  More »

3 miniature Native American dolls, believed to date to the 1950''s.Man, woman and child doll.The little man, the longest of the 3, measures just under 2 inches. THe 2 larger dolls have loops for hanging them from. Good condition with the beads clear and unbroken and tightly arranged. Status: For Sale Reference#: 2747 Condition: See Description Year: See Description   « Less

Two antique nose / earrings. Sold to me as originating from Bukhara, Uzbekistan, but possibly made Turkoman or North African (Morocco, Tunisia etc). Sold to me as a pair,  More »

Two antique nose / earrings. Sold to me as originating from Bukhara, Uzbekistan, but possibly made Turkoman or North African (Morocco, Tunisia etc). Sold to me as a pair, these are similar, but not identical.One is slightly larger, thicker and heavier than the other. The design of the inset stones/glass is largely pear shaped, while the smaller one has only round ''stones''. Each ring is adorned with many tiny bells. The rings are made of silver coloured metal (not silver). One has the original loop for passing through the nose/ear, while this has been replaced with a very old string in the other.These are guarranteed original old ethnic pieces and not modern reproductions.An email from MS. Balzer reads ''this earrings are made by the Kuchi people from afganistan. They are old, nice quality.''.thank you. Status: For Sale Reference#: 1701 Condition: See Description Year: See Description   « Less