CH461. Here is an amazingly crazily long strand of beads.
The large variety of black-patterned beads are 19th century Venetian and
they are strung with antique red white-hearts but they are listed on this
page as they were bought in Southeast Asia. This is a remarkable
thing - - 128 inches (over ten feet) of beads which can be wound around
and around and around (maybe 6 times around the neck?). The different
beads can be examined with curiosity and wonderment. $650.US.
(sold)
CH462. It is interesting to see this nice bunch of 19th century
Peking glass spotted beads (some unusual ones there...) mixed with black
& white Venetian beads. They must have been loved. There
are 25 1/2 inches of beads here - plenty for an interesting project.
$285.US. (sold)
CH463. I love both of these strands of old Chinese beads brought
out of Nagaland. The blue ones have a number of melon beads on them
and colours that mix very nicely together. The contrast of shapes,
colours, and sizes is a very attractive one. There are 18 inches
of beads on this strand - $145.US. The strand of yellow
beads has a slight tinge of green to it to make it a very interesting shade.
The beads are well worn and lightly pitted. These are very even in
size and are slightly over 25 inches in length. $95.US. (#2
is available)
CH464. What a gorgeous colour of beads. These are not
a true red but a little more like raspberries. They mix beautifully
with other colours. There are both roundish wound beads and wound
and flattened beads - all with slightly irregular holes passing through
them. Strand #1 - 24 inches long, Strand #2 - 22 inches long,
Strand #3 - 23 inches long, Strand #4 - 24 inches long,
Strand #5 - 22 inches long.... $60.US/each strand. (#1,
#4 & #5 are available)
CH465. This is an unusual piece strung together in China.
A door - hanging? It has a hefty group of beads on it (largest is
1 1/3 inches across) topped by a rooster (2 1/4 inches across) and the
entire piece is 20 inches long (not including the loop on top). There
are some nice Peking glass beads hidden between the silver too. "The
crowing of a rooster petrifies evil spirits so a rooster represents protection,
as well as reliability and courage. The crowing also symbolized achievement,
male vigor, and fame so silver roosters were worn by boys and men for both
protection and success in their endeavors" $550.US.
CH466. These are antique silver tools which are usually hung
in groups from pendants. These need new purposes. They are
all attractive and still have uses. The longest ones are longer than
3 1/2 inches. $24.US/each pendant (#1
& #3 are available)
CH467. Although the chain, hook and pendant are good silver,
this Chinese needle case is debased silver and has a slightly tawny colour
to it. It is old though, and has worn images on each side.
When you pull the lid up you can see old engravings on the case itself.
They are very well worn. This is an old piece from the past that
is still useful. The case is slightly over 3 inches tall, and the
entire piece including chain measures 10 inches long. - $55.US.
(sold)
CH468. This is an odd combination but I have left it as it
was when I bought it. The strand of ancient beads brought out of
Thailand is strung on fishing line so desperately needs re-stringing.
Onto the loop below is hanging a stone "earring" which could fall off if
one was just a little bit careless. According to "A World of Earrings"
- "Archaeologists have found a number of stone and shell ornaments in tombs,
their extreme hardness and durable character served symbolically to protect
the souls of those whom they accompany on their new life. The motif
of the open hoop, with a central hole, is a metaphor for the live-giving
power of the woman, and was found throughout the South-east Asian mainland
and islands until the twentieth century." The strand of shell, carnelians,
and stone is 22 inches long, and the loop of tiny tradewinds beads hangs
2 inches below. The stone disc is 1 2/3 inches across.
$275.US.
CH469. These Yunnan bone beads are old, worn, beatifully darkened
from age, and dramatically lined in their seams. They actually look
very much like ivory to me, but it is hard to differentiate it at times.
They are richly coloured and attractive though. The strand is 15
inches long - $190.US. (sold)
CH470. These are great old Chin beads - there are 10 strands
of tiny beads strung with a variety of beads and bells. They are
gathered together with yarn and being 24+ inches long, they can be pulled
over a person's head. They move beautifully and gently when walking.
$85.US (sold)
CH471. The colours of these Peking glass beads are much richer,
deeper, and more wonderful than they appear on the scan. I cannot
possibly bring up these colours on the scanner. - strand #1 (double strand
- each one about 27" long) - $150.US. Strands #2 (glowing indigo
blue - 24"), #3 (rich deep turquoise - 24") & #4 (bright
turquoise - 23") are $75/each strand.
CH472. Large flower money $110.US/each. It maks a stunning
pendant with a cord running through the two holes. Small
flower money $35.US/each. (#1 and #2 are available - the
large ones)
CH473. This enamelled Miao Chinese bracelet is very rare and
I haven't been able to find an illustration of a similar one. The
Miao have very personal styles that they have held strongly onto, and this
is among the best that I have seen. Because this is old and worn,
some of the enamelling is missing but what is left is very dark blue, dark
green and muddy yellow. Just the fact that it existed is a wonderful
thing. This is an average sized bracelet (2 3/4 by 1 1/4 inches on
the inside opening). $400.US. (sold)
CH474. These 19th century Chinese wound blue beads are over
3/4 inch across and strung with brass bells The colour of them is
a great sky blue with grains of age worn into them. Right now the
piece is quite heavy. It might be particularly nice to take the strand
apart and use it for particular projects. The blue beads would make
great centerpieces on necklaces. 22 inches of beads.
- $200.US. (sold)
CH475. I have sold strands of these beautiful green/blue ancient
glass beads from Cambodia before, but these are smaller beads on shorter
strands. They are beautifully and richly coloured in a way that is
impossible to show on the scan. These are wound beads with good sized
holes in a range of sizes and shades. Some of the beads are glossy
and other beads have the slightly textured porous look of ancient glass.
The beads are approximately 10th Century AD. These small (average
5/16 inch across) glass beads are about 22 inches in length. - $155.US/each
strand
CH476. 
These are Chinese
glass beads meant to sit on a post at the top of a man's hat. They
remind me of "marble beads" but they have a very different use and these
are much more rare and difficult to come across. These beads have
lost their posts and hats years ago, but still shine attractively - The
large clear one (1 1/2 inches across - huge!) is $165.US. The 2 transparent
beads (about 1 1/8 inches across) flecked with pink are $135.US/each.
The two less bright ones (one is 1 1/8 inch across, and the second is just
a little less...) but still attractive - are $110.US/each.
CH477. Amazingly, this Chinese silver ring is engraved with
an opera scene. Traditional Peking opera companies would sell these
as souvenirs - what a wonderful thing. I wish I could tell you where
the scene her has originated, but... that is something the buyer
would have to research themselves. This is a hefty ring, with a strong
well formed design and fits a size 10 or so. It can be very carefully
adjusted (by an experienced jeweller) to change the size a little bit smaller
or larger as the ring band overlaps in the back. It sits nicely and
smoothly though. $225.US. (sold)
CH478. There are three beautiful silver bracelets here - from
the Golden Triangle. These are made by the Hmong of Thailand and
worn across the area. "The spiral represents the repetitive rhythms
of life and the being's permanence over the transience of change."
(A World of Bracelets, p. 267 & p. 272) They are hammered, decorated
and wound. The bracelets wind smoothly around and can gently be manouevered
(by an experienced jeweller) to alter their sizes just a little...
Bracelet #1 is 2 3/8 inches across in the inside and 7/8 or so inches tall
- $145.US, Bracelet #2 is 2 1/2 inches across in the inside
and 3/4 inch tall - $212.US, Bracelet #3 is 2 3/8 inch across
on the inside and 3/4 or so inches tall - $148.US. (priced at $2.30/gram)
(all sold)
CH479. This is not an antique bracelet but a fairly new one.
It is attractive though, and portrays the traditional dragons of China.
The bracelet is hollow and fairly light to wear. The inside opening
is 2 1/2 inches across so it is for a larger than average wrist.
The height of the sides is 1 1/4 inches at the widest, and 1 inch at the
smallest at the back opening. $122.US.
CH480. This winding bracelet is made by hammering and annealing and
hammering and annealing to create a thick silver wire, hammered with decorations.
This can be gently adjusted (by an experienced jeweller please) if you
need to change the fit a little. The inside measures 2 5/8 inches
across. It feels great to wear. $175.US. (sold)
CH481. Winding bracelets are very important in the Golden Triangle,
with the spiralling shape representing the changes of life, and the adjustments
we make to fit to those changes... This is a simple shape but attractively
decorated with floral patterns. The inside opening is 2 1/2 inches
across. $120.US. (sold)
CH482. This is the smallest of the wound bracelets - it just
has a hint of spiralling. The bracelet is just under 2 1/2 inches
across and can be gently tightened by an experienced jeweller. $69.US.
CH483. Here is another more complex winding bracelet that goes
around more than 4 times. This is deeply and richly patterned and
sits tightly enough that it almost looks like one solid piece of silver.
The inside diameter is 2 5/16 inches across, slightly smaller than average.
This is so perfectly made that I would not try changing the size at all.
$182.US. (sold)
CH484. I think that this is a Chinese magical pendant as it
shows the yin-yang and the Trigrams. According to "Four Centuries
of Silver" - "The Chinese art of divination centers on the Eight Trigrams,
sometimes referred to as the Eight Diagrams. Their use was formalized
in the Zhou dynasty by Wenwang, who wrote his famous Book of Changes--the
I Ching--while a prisoner of the tyrant King Zhou Xin in 1144 BC.
Today the I Ching enjoys tremendous popularity in both the East
and the West."
"The Eight Trigrams symbolize Heaven, Earth, Water, Fire, Lake, Wind, Thunder, and Mountains. The unbroken lines are male, the broken ones female. Often depicted with the ying-yang in the middle, the eight patterns may be configured to obtain the sixty-four hexagrams that constitute the text of Wengwang's oracle book. In Qing dynasty China, a man hung the silver Trigrams from his waist or around his neck, thus protecting himself from danger." Do buy the book to learn more... The pendant is not very thick, so light to wear. It measures 3 3/8 inches across at its widest and has a 24 inch long chain. - $320.US.
CH485. I have not found an image of a Chinese drum pendant
which is as beautiful and elaborate as this one. According to "Four
Centuries of Silver" - " In ancient China, drumbeats paced warriors marching
into battle and gave them courage. In China today, drums are pounded
on festive occasions. For example, the "Drum of Great Peace" is always
struck on the New Year (we are currently living in the year of the dog)
in Beijing." This drum has beautiful flowers on one side and
calligraphy on the other. Small drum bells hang above held by small
chains attached to a 19 inch long chain for suspension. Bells hang
from below as well and chime with delicate noises. The drum is 1
7/8 inches long and very impressive. - $600.US. (sold)
CH486. Inside of bracelet is 2 3/8 inches across.
$165.US. (sold)
CH487. Inside of bracelet (needs a light cleaning - dish soap
and toothbrush) is 2 3/8" by 2 1/8". $150.US.
CH488. Chinese dragon bracelet - the inside measures 2" by
2 1/2". $200.US. (sold)
CH489. Hollow bracelet with ringers inside for bell ringing
- 1 3/4" by 2 1/8". $110.US. (sold)
CH442. This is a gorgeous solid silver torque worn by a young
boy or girl. It might have been worn plain, or might have had a spirit
lock attached to it. It is a Hmong piece, illustrated widely in books,
bought in NY Laos. The piece was etched delicately over it's body
but much of that is worn so only traces remain. Heavier etching remains
on both sides of the decorative wings. The inside is 3 1/2 by 4 1/2
inches across with a 2 1/4 inch opening. This is graceful and beautiful
for a young person or someone of very small and delicate size...
though an experienced silver-worker could open the piece a little wider.
You can find many copies of these now, but this is very much a genuine
old item. It has wear on it from the places where loops were attached
to it with hanging pendants attached. $210.US.
CH443. This large disc pendant (bellack mutiu) was bought
in West Timor/Atoni and is made of good solid silver - made in the first
quarter of the 1900s. These discs were made as part of a man's armour
as something to reflect his abilities. The disc is a thick
layer of silver and quite flat but has a hammered edge to it that stands
straight up just over 1/16 inch tall. You can see hammer marks
all over it giving it a lightly rippled finish. On the middle part
of the pendant is a strong breast shaped dome standing about 3/4 inch tall.
This stands in a 6 pointed star yearning for the heavens. I
am lucky to have a few discs for sale - doubly lucky as they are rare pieces
to have and I am enthralled by them. This is 6 3/8 inches across
and if you don't want to wear it, it would look amazing suspended for display....
- $350.US.
CH445. This silver button was bought in NW Laos and worn by
an Akha woman. It can be shined up to glow if you like - right now
it has an unpolished finish. This is 3 1/8 inches across...
a quite simple with softly hammered design - double holed at each end to
create an interesting stringing arrangement if you like...
$45.US.
CH446. This is a beautiful, glossy, nicely engraved flower
disc/button (with two loops soldered on for suspension) from NY Laos -
This is 4 1/2 inches across and worn by the Akha... It makes
a great and dramatic pendant strung onto a simple strand of beads and sitting
close to the throat. It would make the pages of the current fashion
magazines... $140.US.
CH447. This shell armband is from Alor, Indonesia. It
is richly coloured from age and wear. On me, it sits on my arm above
my elbow and looks great. The inside measures 2 7/8 by 3 1/4 inches
across. The arm should comfortably measure around 10 1/4 inches around.
Now I wish it was summer so that I could show it off.... $75.US.
(sold)
CH448. These etched bone beads are from West Timor/Atoni.
This is a 16 inch long strand with beads averaging 1 inch in diameter and
1/2 inch thick. I can imagine that even a single bead would make
a great centerpiece on a necklace or just hanging from a soft ribbon.
The holes generally take up about half of the diameter of the pieces.
$95.US. (sold)
CH449. Etched bone beads from West Timor/Atoni...
24 inches long with beads averaging 1 1/4 inches across and 1/2 inch thick...
$260.US. (sold)
CH451. This is a thick old silver heavy bracelet that feels
strong and dramatic. It has large balls soldered onto it over more
delicate designs of silver braids and spirals. This one fits me as
well, and feels great. It feel powerful. The bracelet is 1
1/8 inches tall and flares out beautifully. The inside measures 1
3/4 by 2 1/4 inches with an opening of . This piece came
from Timor. A similar piece exists on page 297 of "a World of
Bracelets" except that the balls of silver are flattened on the one
in the book. $350.US.
CH452. This pair of cast silver bracelets from West Timor will
fit a medium/small wrist measuring about 6 inches around. The bracelets
are 2 1/8 by 1 1/2 inches across on the inside with openings that are less
than an inch across. The towers in the middle rise up a little over
an inch high and a male face and a female face look away from each other.
These look very dramatic when worn as a pair - one on each wrist.
They are among the most "in demand" pieces from the area as the standing
images are captivating. These people have interesting, expressive
faces which the owner will become familiar with. These strong shaped
pieces were also used as weapons of defense. I thought that was interesting...
$385.US/pair
CH453. This spiraling silver bracelet bought in northeast Laos
is a beautiful thing, but small with an inside diameter of 2 1/4 inches
across. Made for a very slender wrist so please measure a bangle
of yours to make sure that this can slip over your hand. The
base of the piece is beautifully rounded and patterned with deep repetitive
designs - it narrows at its ends so that it winds together to be held shut.
After the binding at the end the wire narrows to one that is patterned
and wound over and over again for a graceful flourish. This is all
one piece of metal - thickest in the underlying piece and thinnest in the
wire spiraling around it. That is quite an amazing job to create
it. To see a similar piece, turn to page 250 of "a World
of Bracelets". $245.US.
CH454. I love the colour of these glass beads bought
in West Timor from the Atoni. They are the same colour as ancient
beads, often found buried in the earth. The ancient beads are generally
faceted though and without the air bubbles of these. These beads
have been made in the last 50 years or so from old bottles and broken glass,
and have been shaped into graceful and varying ovals. The colour
selection is great and they "feel" like the old beads in mood. No
matter what, they are beautiful. The strand measures just short of
24 inches in length. Enough for a necklace and a bracelet.
The beads average about 3/4 inch in length and 5/8 inch in diameter.
$145.US. (sold)
CH455. This comb came from Timor and is made of silver and
wood. The more decorative ones were worn by wealthy Suvanese, but
simpler ones like this were used by the Atoni who got much of their silverwork
from Savu and Ndao. (from Power and Gold) The comb is
known as a kilinoni and they are often worn in pairs, one at the
front of the head and another at the crown. This is 6 1/2 inches
across at the widest, and 2 3/4 inches tall. The back of the comb
is the widest - almost 1/2 inch thick but the piece thins down along the
straight line of the bottom. Charming. - $175.US.
CH456. I love the strength of Timor bracelets. They are
rarely delicate breakable looking things, but more often substantial strong
sculpturally beautiful things. This bracelet is solid silver - heavy
but comfortable. The inside measures 2 1/16 by 1 5/8 inches across,
and the opening is 1 inch across. Pieces similar to this can be seen
in "the World of Bracelets". $145.US. (sold)
CH457. This Timor bracelet is made of solid silver, heavy but
sculpturally lovely when worn. It has those fat silver balls on it
that the Timorese just love. They are sitting on spiraled circles
of silver wire. It looks wonderful on display. The inside of
the bracelet measures 2 by 1 3/4 inches across, and the opening is 7/8
inch across. It just fits on my wrist and feels great. My wrist
is 6-and-a-bit inches around. $145.US.
CH458. For me, this armband from West Timor fits below the
elbow on the wider part of my forearm. My arm there is 8 3/4 inches
around. The armband has a very exotic look sitting there, and a romantic
one too. The piece is formed by hammering a sheet of silver so that
it has a lovely curve to its shape. The hammer marks give a great
texture to the piece and since it probably wasn't annealed as often as
it should have been, some cracks formed in the silver as it was being made.
The cracks don't affect the wearability at all, and they add to the texture.
For a decorative touch, some silver spirals were soldered on the the front
of the piece, with the added balls of silver. The design reminds
me of ancient Greek and Roman jewellery making. - $135.US.
CH459. here is another hammered armband from West Timor.
They shape them beautifully with a curve that helps to hold the piece in
place on forearm or upper arm. This one measures 3 inches across.
The silver balls on it are extended beautifully - $125.US.
CH460. I have never had a knife for sale before, but this is
a fascinating old well worn piece and would fit well into a sculptural
type of collection. The knife, made for the use of a man, was bought
in NW Laos and used by the Hmong or the Shan. 6 knives, all very similar
to this - are illustrated on page 63 of "Peoples of the Golden Triangle"
where
it says that these were important status symbols for tribal men.
They were made by Chinese, Shan or tribal craftsmen. The handle is
made of ivory which has deepened and enriched in colour from age and use.
The handle is 4 inches in length. The ivory handle is attached to
a wooden block hidden by a decorated sheet of silver. The blade of
the knife is inserted into the wooden part. The entire knife is 16
inches long and held in the silver case the entire piece measures 17 inches
long. All of the metal work (except for the blade which
could use a little polishing) is good silver and nicely decorated.
Very beautiful and made in the first half of the 1900s. Quite a rare
collector's piece. $275.US. (sold)
CH379. This is a heavenly silver necklace bought in Northwest
Laos from the Akha. It is likely a Lisu piece. This is a smaller
version of the complex necklaces worn at weddings with the same components
- - these though are just perfect for a lovely evening instead. The
dangles fall about 2 1/2 inches long and they knock quietly against each
other. The necklace itself is 19 inches long and sits beautifully.
It was tied with string before but I added a silver "S" hook for ease in
putting it on and taking it off. This is quite a weightly amount
of silver - coming in at about 153 grams. Comfortable though.
$435.US. (sold)
CH380. I love the look of the "tool kit" necklaces. This
Hmong piece was bought in Laos. It is a real charmer, good silver,
and sits nicely when worn. It has a long chain - over 28 inches with
a 6 1/2 inch length of pendant and tools hanging below. The central
disc is 1 3/4 inches across. For me, the bottoms of the piece hang
around my waist line. This is an old piece that shows wear from use
- no damage though - it is very beautiful. $365.US. (sold)
CH381. I thought that this was a lime container box, but by
checking in "Four Centuries of Silver" by Margaret Duda, I have learned
that it is actually an opium container. (please check page 155 to
see similar ones - and one that she had acquired still had hardened opium
in it! This one is happily empty.) This antique (over 100 years
old) repousse silver one was bought in the Kachin State of Burma but probably
originated in southern China. There is a small spoon hung beside
it for ease in serving. The container has two chains attached to
each side of it, and there is also a chain for the spoon, so there are
five in all. That gives this piece a fascinating look. A man
would have attached this to his shawl for convenience. According
to Duda, ethnic minorities would have suspend these small boxes from their
grooming kits. The entire piece is 12 1/2 inches long.
$125.US. (on hold)
CH382. This can be worn as a necklace now - it can be slung
over your head without a clasp. The pendants are those that have
been made as currency, and worn for their value. They were holed
a long time ago and worn constantly. This was bought in Rangoon,
the capital of Burma. My dealer mentions the Pa-Ou people but I have
to do some research to figure out who they are... this weighs 76.6
grams. $185.US. (sold)
CH384. This is a great Chinese lock pendant with chain. It
was bought in Mandalay, Burma. This is a nice old one probably worn
by a child (judging by the length of the chain - 20 inches) but a link
could be cut and a clasp attached so that anyone could wear it. The
pendant is just under 1 3/4 inches across, and 1/3 inch thick. It
has different writing hammered into each side... $135.US. (sold)
CH385. Hmong silver earrings similar to these are illustrated
on page 222 of "a World of Earrings". It says that this shape is
worn by the Wa. These were bought in Luang Prabang in Laos.
They are old and attractive and measure 2 1/4 inches from top to bottom.
If you have a good sized earhole you can wear these otherwise they look
very pretty just sitting on display. $120.US.
CH386. These are the same style of earrings that you will see
on page 180 of "a World of Earrings". They are made by the Meo people
living in the Golden Triangle area of Thailand, and bought in Laos.
The earrings that she shows wee acquired from the Miao people of Hainan
who wear only earrings and bracelets. They must have been traded
into that area. These earrings are nicely decorated and engraved
on their hammered oval fronts. The loops have been twisted to create
an interesting design as well, and then finished with spirals. The
ovals are 1 1/2 inches wide and the earrings are 3 1/4 inches long from
the top of the loops to the bottom of the ovals. $120.US.
CH387. These fat silver Golden Triangle Burmese earplugs are
illustrated on page 236/237 of "a World of Earrings". These are worn
by the Karen with the bowl shaped size facing forwards. They measure
1 inch from front to back and the part that goes through the ear is 5/8
inch across. They are small sculptural pieces. $85.US/pair.
CH391. This complex and interesting silver pendant was bought
in northwest Laos. My dealer believes that it is from the Akha people,
but I find it rather unusual and am not so sure where the origins are.
It is just waiting for a strand of beads, a ribbon, or a cord to suspend
it with. If you look at the back you will see that a serious attachment
piece has been soldered onto it. At one end are two loops visible
from the front, and at the other end is a loop that cannot be seen except
from the back. It is built like a buckle and quite heavy (73 grams).
It is a good sized piece at 4 1/2 inches across and of course, dramatic.
$165.US.
CH392. I have two silver pendants here. #1, bought in
Laos, is a flower shaped Akha pendant slightly over 2 3/4 inches across.
It has two stringing holes at opposite ends. Nicely hammered, with
a hammered dome in the center. $45.US. #2 is 2 3/4 inches
across, etched with a star, and decorated with a soldered on dome (like
in the brass disc below, it is charmingly off-center). This was bought
in Atoni, Timor and is very traditional. It looks like a sign of
strength in a place where life includes many difficulties. There
is one stringing hole at the point of a star. (31.3 grams)
$105.US.
CH393. This Hmong spirit lock was bought in Laos at Luang
Prabang. It is quite heavy at 61.5 grams and nicely shaped, quite
different than the ones that I have from Thailand. I love that flare.
It is strongly patterned and hammered with dots around the edges.
The spirit lock is 3 1/4 inches tall, and will help to hold your own spirit
close to the ground in a safe space... $145.US.
CH395. Three strands of good sized Indo-Pacific tradewinds
beads are illustrated here. They have been newly strung together
though the beads themselves are all over 1000 years old. The strands
are each over 18 inches in length and have a good variety of colours.
They can be worn as they are, or taken apart for projects. $145.US.
CH398. It is wonderful to have a pair of these astoundingly
heavy, dramatic, old silver dragon bracelets bought in Zam Nua, Laos.
These are cast pieces, based on a round wire that becomes a complex head
of a dragon. There are wide spirals implicating waves rolling over
his head, round balls of silver decorating him, and forceful long teeth...
Both men and women wear this style known as Yunnan. The insides of
these bracelets are 2 3/8 by 1 7/8 inches. The openings are 11/16th
inch across. They are very heavy and very sculptural. The pair
weighs more than 366 grams. Wow!!! $625.US/pair.
CH400. This silver dragon bracelet was bought in Zam Nua, Laos.
This is beautifully sculpted and quite a solid thing. It is not cast
but fabricated from hammered silver, swirls of wire, and balls of silver
soldered onto it. Very sculptural which is good, as it is difficult
- with its small opening - to actually wear. The inside is 2 3/8
by 1 7/8 inches and the opening is 5/8 inch across. The jaws of the
dragon are 1/3 inch wide. The Yao and the Hmong wear these pieces,
simplified and stylized from the more delicate ones originally made in
China. They are currently also worn in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
The tradition is over 150 years old, and bracelets like this are rarely
made today. They are generally heirlooms passed down from mother
to daughter. $325.US.
CH403. These are lovely little earrings that will work nicely if
you have slightly larger than average earholes. They are from Belu,
West Timor. The graceful silver earrings measure about 1 3/8 inches
tall from top to bottom and have a nice floral design facing downwards.
$55.US/pair.
CH404. These are pretty amazing silver ear pieces. The spirals
slide into the earholes, hanging and stretching the ear lobe because of
their weight. They are solid silver and worn in China, Guizhou (Miao),
Laos and Vietnam. Pieces like these have been made for over a thousand
years. The more they weigh, the more important they are...
These are 1 1/3 inches across in diameter and 5/8 inch high at the tallest.
$150.US/pair.
CH405. Here are some antique true amber beads that were bought
in North Myanmar, in Myitkyina, the capital of the Kachin state.
They are rich beautiful colours and cut into interesting shapes and worn
by the Kachin/Jingpaw people. I can slip these over my head
so don't need a clasp for them. #1 is 27 inches long - $160.US.
#2 is 28 inches long with fat round beads and an interesting closure.
$185.US. (both strands are sold)
CH407. This 28 inch strand of beads came from West Timor.
It is very attractive as it is and can be happily worn. The ancient
beads are beautifully graduated and centered with a black and white eye
beads - to ward off problems. $110.US. (sold)
CH410. These antique Buddha beads came from China. I
am unsure of the material - the small spacer beads definitely look like
bone but the larger beads look more like ivory. Each bead has a Buddha
etched onto one side, and the name of the Buddha written on the other.
The last character in the writing means "Buddha". They show wear
from handling over the years. This is a charming piece of 19 Buddha
beads measuring 18 3/4 inches in length. $125.US. (sold)
CH411. Here are two bronze religious pendants from Thailand
waiting to be strung. #1 is 1 3/8 inches tall, and #2 is 1 1/2 inches
tall. $22.US/each.
CH412. Chinese melon beads can vary in shape and colour as
well as having a variety of profiles and sizes. Chinese melon beads are
pictured on page 92 of "Collectible Beads" and on page 85 of "Beads in
Indonesia". These antique glass beads come from Irian Jaya (the Indonesian
portion of New Guinea) and were manufactured in China from the 17th century
on - these are definitely among the oldest of the type and I would date
them to the early 1700s. According to Robert Liu these beads were
supposedly used in bridal purchases and are considered to have great value.
They were traded all over Southeast Asia and can be found in heirloom necklaces
from many tribes. I am particularily taken by these beads as
with my vivid imagination I can easily picture the molten bead being shaped
by a hot metal blade pressed into it over and over again.
I have combined these very old glass beads, with modern silver beads from the same part of the world - made in Thailand. The necklace sits nicely around the base of the neck and measures 15 1/4 inches around. If you need a larger size to be comfortable, I would suggest having a jeweller add a little solid silver chain in the back for extra length. This is a very stunning piece. $365.US. (sold)
CH440. This is a delicates strand of antique glass beads from
Lake Sentari of Irian Jaya. It is a gorgeous pale yellow colour ,
almost dreamlike and they are well over 100 years old. There are
26 inches of oval beads in various shades averaging about 3/8 inch in length.
They were strung so tight that one bead was broken. The rest are
fine. $145.US. (sold)
CH414. Here is a group of 18 good wishes pendants of Buddhas
from temples in Thailand. They have different imagery on each side,
usually a Buddha on one, and writing or an illustration on the other.
You can use them to make some interesting pieces. They measure 7/8th
to an inch or so in length. The price is for the entire group...
$75.US.
CH415. There are two sets of brass armband here, bought in
Southern China. They are quite rough pieces without a lot of grace,
and they were worn pushed up on the arms by people who couldn't afford
anything fancier. One set seems to end with leaves, and the other
with snakes. #1 (the leaves and twists) measure 3 1/2 by 3 1/4 inches
on the inside. #2 (the snakes and twists) measure 3 by almost 3 inches
on the inside. These are quite heavy as they are very very solid.
$35/pair for each... (#2 is available)
CH416. Here are two silver needle cases from China. They
are from the late 1800s - and are delicate and beautiful pieces.
The needle cases pull apart easily and hold together tightly. They
have holes pierced at both ends so that you can hang from the top and dangle
beads or pendants from the bottom. They would make great and unusual
pendants and could actually hold some emergency beading needles and bits
of threading materials. They are each 3 inches long, and quite different
in their designs. $98.US/each needle case. (sold)
CH434. There are three more silver needle cases from China
pictured here. They are from the late 1800s when much delicate hand
work was being done - beautiful expressive scenes repoussed on the smallest
items. The cases have holes at each end, so that you can run cords
through both sets of holes on each side. They are generally knotted
at the bottom and have beads or pendants hanging from them. These
do not hold tightly enough (as the above ones do) to simply use the
top set of holes. Traditionally both sets of holes are used.
These would be wonderful as a beadworker's emergency kit. The tallest
one is 3 1/8 inches high, and the shortest is a little over 2 3/4 inches.
They are $98.US for each needle case. (all sold)
CH417. This is a beautiful hand wrought silver bracelet bought
in Zam Nua, Laos. It was made for a small handed man (or could be
worn by a woman with larger than average wrists, but hands that can squeeze
within it) and measures 2 5/8 inches across the inside by 2 1/2 inches
in the other direction. Please measure against another piece
of jewellery to make sure that this would fit - or cut an oval hole into
a piece of cardboard and use it for fitting. The frame of this bracelet
is solid silver and the ends wrap around each other while extending into
long wires that are wrapped around the bracelet itself. It is very
well made and a high end piece. You can see a similar one on page
267 of "A World of Bracelets". The author says that it would have
been worn by the Yinset. $325.US. (sold)
CH418. There are similar silver bracelets from West Timor shown on
pages 296/297 of "A World of Bracelets". This one has fat knobs at
the ends and basic images of people lining the flat part of the bracelet
- the same on each side. Bracelets there were worn by men more often
than by women, but because of size differences they often fit women here
more easily. The inside of the bracelet is 2 1/8 inches by 1 3/8
inches with an opening of just under one inch. This sits in a very
dramatic way. $245.US
CH419. There are two interesting bracelets bought in Belu,
West Timor. These were worn by the Atoni. Necklace #1 is the
simpler one featuring two birds facing each other with a triangle shape
in the middle. This piece has been cast and has an interesting texture
because of it. The insides measure 2 3/8 by 1 5/8 inches, and the
opening is slightly over 1 inch across. $175.US. Necklace #2
is a little more complex. There are two birds sitting on spirals
in the center of the necklace and two faces looking away. One is
a woman, and the other is a man. The faces are very evocative and
the woman is wearing earrings, while the man's ears stick out very cutely.
The insides are 2 3/8 by 1 3/4 inches with a 7/8 inch wide opening.
I love the way this fits me. $245.US. (both sold)
CH420. This is a very large, dramatic, and expressive silver
neck ring from the Golden Triangle of southeast Asia. It is quite
remarkable. It can be worn with the opening facing either forwards
or backwards and it rather leans on the wearer like a grand collar.
A pendant can be hung from it though they are worn either plain or decorated
depending on what the occasion might be. This piece is solid silver
and has been hammered into shape. You can see the hammering marks
and creases from the work. The decorative parts have been hammered
flat and then engraved with complex and delicate design. The
piece is 10 1/2 inches across and 10 inches up and down. The decorative
wings are 5 1/4 inches long. It has hammered designs on both sides
but the pattern on the back is quite worn down, showing that this piece
has had a long life already. The fattest part of the ring is
1/2 inch across. This looks beautiful on display as well, when it
is not being worn. - $625.US.
CH421. This is a very nice antique small oval wooden carved
container from China with stringing holes running up each side. The carved
images show plants and birds, a little different on each side. This would
be great for someone who sells beads at shows, as they could keep their
emergency supplies inside. The container can easily be hung
by running cords through the stringing holes, and they can be tied together
underneath and decorated with beads or pendants. Then it can be worn
traditionally by attaching it to a belt, or wearing it as a pendant.
The box is a little over 2 1/4 inches tall, and 1 7/8 inches across at
the longest end of the oval. The wood is dark, and exotic looking.
$75.US.
CH422. This is a dramatic and wonderful container piece bought
in West Timor. I had another on the previous page, but this is a
little larger. It is meant for carrying powder inside - there
is a lid that can be easily removed. A man would have had it hanging
from a shell belt at his waist. The top part of the piece is made
of 5 1/4 inches of discs made of shell, the largest one being 1 3/4 inches
in diameter. The cords that run through them holds something that
looks like a tusk. It is hard to tell. It is suspended from
a rich brown piece that seems to be carved of wood. The
entire piece measures 10 3/4 inches in length. It is a fascinating
item and hangs beautifully on display... Here
is an image from page 198 of "Power and Gold: Jewelry from
Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines" - described as "the full regalia
of a west Timorese headhunter." Goodness. The piece is slung
over his shoulder. $285.US. (sold)
CH423. These are very large, heavy 41 inch long strands of
very old beads - the photos are not full size. These arefrom
S.E. Laos (Mon Khmer people) bought this summer. This is a very heavy
great collection of beads made of glass, silver, and carnelians.
I don't have a scale to weigh them correctly but they certainly seem to
be more than a pound in weight and each one would nicely create two wearable
necklaces. There are wonderful little odds and ends between the big
beads and the strands look rich with age, and full of memories of
the past. $365.US/each strand. (#1 is available)
CH424. Here are two Pa-Ou necklaces from Rangoon Burma.
#1 has 7 pendants of a good size - the central one is a little over 1 inch
across. The beaded part of the necklace is 6 inches long, and it
can be pulled over the head. The pieces look very organic, and have
a good weight to them. $170.US.
#2 is a delicate piece - old trade beads of blue and amber colours and
three silver coin type discs measuring 5/8 to 3/4 inches across.
It needs restringing as it doesn't have a clasp to open and close it. The
section with beads and pendants measures 5 1/2 inches across.
$95.US. (#2 is available)
CH425. This magical Hmong spirit lock was bought in Luang Prabang,
Laos. It could use a bit of cleaning as it has some stains on it
especially on the back, but the shape and work are both beautiful.
It is 3 1/4 inches tall and 3 inches across at the widest. It is
very well made and you can see how the hammering has changed the shape
of the curved hanging loops - I love to see the evidence of work.
- $175.US. (sold)
CH426. These earrings are all illustrated on page 286 of "A
World of Earrings". In the book it says "Indonesia, Moluccas, Tanimbar,
Lembata and Alor" as places where they are worn. It also says "The
elongated earrings, known as 'crocodiles' are from Lembata." The
pieces are made by casting from the silver melted down from old trade coins.
They would work beautifully as pendants. Earrings #1, bought
in east Flores, are slightly gilded so have a delicate pale gold colouring.
They are 2 1/2 inches long and quite fancily decorated. $135.US.
Earrings #2, also bought in east Flores are silver. Their decorations
consist of tiny little raised dots that are quite delicate. The earrings
are 2 3/4 inches long. $135.US. Earrings
#3 are fat and thick and were bought in Tanimbar. They are slightly
over 1 1/8 inches long and are formed in a very sculptural and typical
shape. $65.US. Earrings #4 are the same style as
#3 and just a little heavier. They are about 1 1/5 inches long.
$65.US. (#3 and #4 are available)
CH427. Pairs of "buttons" from the Hmong people - bought in an Akha
village near Zien Kok in Laos. $55.US/each pair. (#2
is sold)
CH428. Single "buttons" from the Hmong people - bought in an Akha
village near Zien Kok in Laos. $25.US/each button.
CH429. Moon shaped pendant bought in NW Laos - $75.US. (sold)
Round West Timor Atoni pendant - $95.US.
CH431. This is a very attractive piece of carved "jade".
Three musicians are hard at work while a stork-like bird flies overhead.
There is also a swirl in the sky that appears to have eyes. It is
a very beautifully done piece, and pierced in the top so that it could
be used as a pendant. This is a fairly heavy piece (about 60 grams)
and is 2 1/4 by 1 1/2 inches and almost 1/3 inch thick. The colour
is lovely. This is not an antique piece, and it is not brand new
- it was made somewhere in-between. $34.US. (sold)
CH432. Here is a Japanese copper katana/sword tsuba.
This decorative piece was slipped onto the sword between the handle and
the blade. It is beautifully cast with elaborate designs, different on
each side. There is a signature cast on each side on one of the columns
near the center. This is a wonderful piece, quite heavy but full
of cut-out openings, that I thought would make an amazing pendant.
It is 3 1/4 inches tall and 2 3/4 inches wide and about 1/5 inch thick.
It would make a beautiful display piece too. $135.US. (sold)
CH433. Here are some great boxwood carved animals from Japan.
They are darker wood than the photo shows - it was almost impossible to
get a good image of these creatures... They are a good size - the
dog is the tallest at 2 1/8 inch, the snake is 1 1/2 inches, and the monkeys
are 1 5/8 inches. Most of these creatures have one or two holes in
the bottom for stringing so that they would hand upside down. They
are great for display, sitting among your beads as they can function as
Netsuke. The carving techniques are in antique style, but they are
not old themselves - they represent the spirits of people during the course
of the year. They do have signatures on their bottoms though.
The creatures are $14.US/each, two for $25.US, or three for $32.US. (#1,
#2, #3, #9, #10 & #12 are sold)
CH435. Here is an interesting antique repoussed Chinese silver
needle case. This represents a Hakka woman. According to the
author of "Four Centuries of Silver" - "Persecuted by several dynasties,
the Hakka, a sub-group of the Han whose name means 'guest people.' were
forced to emigrate from the province of Henan in the Yellow River plains
of northern China to Guangdong, Szechwan, the new Territories, and other
areas in southern China. By the Qing dynasty, many Hakka were reduced
to being peddlars."
A variety of these women is shown on page 116 of the book illustrating their different occupations. This woman has a pack slung over her shoulders and is carrying curled silver representing the silk ribbons a woman would weave to earn extra money. Her hat is loose on the chain and can be lifted up. She is wearing a tiny bracelet too. She is very similar to the illustrations in the book. The Hakka woman is 1 7/8 inches long, and the entire piece including carnelian is 5 3/4 inches long. She would be charming as the central pendant of a necklace. $75.US. (sold)
CH436. Here are three antique pendants featuring engraved silver
gourds (the silver of #1 is not quite sterling grade). They would
make great central pendants on necklaces though they were often used as
hangings on waist pieces or collections of items on chains.
There are many similar ones illustrated on page 85 of "Four Centuries of
Silver". The author says:
"The fruit known as the 'bottle gourd' lent itself to many utilitarian and symbolic functions in Qing dynasty China. Dried and hollowed out, the fruit served as a container in most households, and in south China, the boat people tied hollow gourds to their children to keep them from drowning, should they fall overboard. Owing to its swelling contours, which the Chinese felt suggested a pregnant woman, as well as its many seeds, the bottle gourd came to symbolize fertility. An association with wealth arose from the Chinese character for gourd, hulu, which form a homonym for "good fortune". In ancient times, old men used hollow gourds as water containers, and so the gourd also came to signify longevity."
(bottom of the
pieces all have this pattern). The shortest gourd (including
stem) is 1 3/4 inches long. The longest gourd (incuding stem) is
2 inches long. The pieces hang 4 to 4 1/4 inches long, including
carnelian beads and chain... $55.US/each pendant.
(#1 is available)
CH437. The first piece here - a snuff bottle - is a rather
good sized enamelled figure. His size indicates that he is wealthy
and a member of the Emperor's entourage - he is not in any condition for
manual labour. He is wearing elaborate clothing and holding a piece
of Chinese money to bring wealth to his owner. The bat above him
brings blessings from heaven. This is 5 3/4 inches tall. (#1
is sold) Pendant #2 is also a snuff bottle with an opening above
the mouth of a goldfish. It is a plump and graceful creature symbolizing
abundance and wealth. A filigree ball hangs below, and then two more
dangles. The hook at the top has a small female figure engraved on
it. The piece is 12 1/3 inches long. $185.US/each piece.
(all
sold)
CH438. These Chinese silver containers were used for holding
some sort of powder, perhaps for fragrance, medicine or perhaps opium.
They each have a screw knob with a spoon at the top. Each piece has
a hook on top to use for suspension. Pendant #1 contains two
cicadas - symbols of resurrection. They can also symbolize immortality,
rebirth, and eternal youth. (check "Four Centuries of Silver" by
Margaret Duda). Below the cicada sits a melon shaped carnelian,
and below that, a very happy baby figure. A Han Chinese bride's
mother or sister-in-law often presented a baby figure bell as a wedding
gift The small cicada is1 3/8 inches tall and the larger one
is 2 1/8 inches tall. The entire piece is 13 inches tall.... (cicada
pendant is sold) Pendant #2 This pendant features a butterfly
hammered to quite a height on each side. The pendant itself is 1/3
inch thick and the butterfly reaches up above that. Butterflies are
often called the "Chinese Cupid" and they bring longevity, summer, joy,
and marital happiness. Above that there is a foo dog with a different
dragon-like mask on each side. The foo dog is often a guardian (check
"Four Centuries of Silver" by Margaret Duda). The butterfly container
has a little knob tightly shut on top - that unscrews out and is actually
a tiny spoon. Above the dog sits a monkey shaped
carnelian. The monkey represents the power to bestow longevity, and
is helpful in achieving health, protection, and success. The piece
hangs from a hook behind a 1 1/4 inch tall decoration of a tree filled
with fruits. Pendant #3 features bats. The word for bat
"fu" means good fortune. The upside down bat proclaims the
arrival of happiness. Bats descend from the clouds bringing blessings
from heaven. (see "Four Centuries of Silver) The fastening
at the top of this piece has a detailed image of man riding a horse or
a quilin on it. This is 11 inches tall. $265.US/each
piece. (all sold)
CH439. You can see a perfume carrier with personal tool kit
very similar to this - on page 49 of "Four Centuries of Silver".
It is a gorgeous and unusual piece from Southwestern China. The central
domed part is hollow - 1 3/4 inches in diameter and 7/8 inch thick.
The piece has a hook to open it and the wearer would put herbs or a perfumed
cloth inside. The entire piece is almost 17 inches long. The
tool kit is very important too, an earpick and a toothpick - a little scraper
to take wax from the ear, and a scraper for the tonque. The jewellers
worked hard to add fine little details to the pieces. The flat engraved
bat above the perfume container brings blessings from heaven. $265.US.