Far Eastern Works of Art
Large Burmese Textile with two dancing figures, probably second half C20th
Price: £110
This is a large textile wall hanging depicting a lady and a gentleman represented as dancers, their feet bare and clothed in elaborate dress intricately decorated with sequins, stitching and bead work, all on a claret colour ground with sequins depicting the stars and stitching the ground below, the composition enclosed by multiple borders, stylised scrolling foliage, bead and sequin work and stylised crashing waves.
The distinctive style of embroidery and applied work here is typical of Burmese work known as ‘Kalaga’ which means ‘curtain’ in Burmese and is used to refer to heavily embroidered appliqué tapestry sewn with a technique called ‘shwe gyi do’. First produced around 150 years ago, Kalagas are generally linen, silk, cotton or velvet background fabrics embellished with sequins, embroidery, beads, coloured stones, tiny pearls, coral, braids and metal threads, the choice of materials depending in part on the client’s budget. Cotton padding was used to produce the ‘3D’ effect seen here and on many other examples of the work. The elaborate decoration meant that some of the larger pieces could take many months to produce which is likely to have been the case here. Dating is difficult and a mid C20th attribution here is probably sensible but an earlier period of manufacture is quite possible. The hanging has been recently mounted on board and fitted with a simple frame making it ready for display in a contemporary interior.
Marionette Figure of a Prince, probably Burmese mid C20th
Price: £45
This is a puppet figure of a man wearing elaborate dress suggestive of the royal court with billowing sleeves and a flaring skirt, the bold and striking design elaborately worked with sequins, stitching and minute bead work studded at the front with large coloured glass beads representing gems, his hands and face gilt with red and black detail, his feet clad in gilt boots and his head surmounted by a gilt and beaded conical helmet. Eight gilt strings are suspended from a double bar handle piece allowing the puppet master to operate the figure.
The style of the dress suggests Burma which has a tradition of marionette puppetry (marionettes are a specific form of puppet where the figure is controlled by strings or rods) dating back to the late eighteenth century and still popular today with visitors to the country, now called Myanmar. Termed ‘Yoke thé’, the Burmese marionette tradition allowed political commentary under the guise of of an entertainment display. The standard ‘troupe’ comprised twenty seven characters, both animal and human, and this male figure is probably the ‘King’ (‘Mintayar gyi’). Dating is probably to the mid C20th and a little earlier than the female marionette figure also included in this sale. This figure is rather more majestic as befits his regal status.
Balinese tiger's eye Necklace, C20th
Price: £55
This is a full necklace comprising a large square tiger's eye stone with horizonal striations in a setting which employs Balinese motifs, highlighting the tradition of Balinese silver work. The mounted stone is suspended from a very thick snake form chain that complements it perfectly. There is a mark for '925' guaranteeing the quality of the silver. The abstract and bold forms present an arresting and attractive design which should appeal to a collector of contemporary costume jewellery.
Charming Novelty handbag, Thailand 1950s
Price: £45
This is a very unusual and large bag constructed in the shape of a house with a central courtyard or balcony and windows which actually open. It is made of raffia and is embroidered with floral motifs. This would most likely have been a souvenir made for tourists. It has a double closure and appears to have been hardly used with a handle that seems sturdy.
Vintage Carved wood figure of a Lady, Bali, Indonesia, second half C20th
Price: £45
A finely carved wood figure with a rich patina and veining of a young woman crouching, her head, which is elaborately coiffured, slightly inclining as she looks at the devotional stupa like object which she is holding. The style of this piece indicates that it was the work of a Balinese craftsman and the signature underneath confirms this. The island of Bali in Indonesia has a rich tradition of wood carving dating back hundreds of years. Known in the Balinese language as 'Batuan', wood carving has its roots in Bali's Hindu-Buddhist culture. Typically, the pieces are made from hardwoods with a coarse grain including teak, chempaka wood and sandalwood. The decorative grain effects here, though, suggest mahogany and the highly polished finish is quite striking and far less commonly found today. Dating is probably to the 1960s and the artist (with the Balinese surname ‘Mudita’; his first name cannot be made out) has revealed the place of manufacture which is Sanur, a famous beach resort. These figures were often bought by tourists which explains why they are found today in Europe. Like the portrait head of a lady also included in this sale there is an aura of calm contemplation here almost reminiscent of Chinese work.
Vintage Carved wood figure of a seated Man, Bali, Indonesia, second half C20th
Price: £75
A finely carved wood figure with a rich patina of a seated man in deep contemplation wearing traditional headdress. The style and quality of this piece indicate that it was the work of a Balinese craftsman. The island of Bali in Indonesia has a rich tradition of wood carving dating back hundreds of years. Known in the Balinese language as 'Batuan', wood carving has its roots in Bali's Hindu-Buddhist culture. Typically, the pieces are made from hardwoods with a coarse grain including teak, chempaka wood and sandalwood. The highly decorative grain effects here suggest teak and the patterning complements the composition perfectly. Dating is probably to the 1950s or 1960s. Similar pieces are said to have been purchased around that time.
Egyptian Silver Pill Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, marked, second half C20th
Price: £45
An oval silver box and cover, the lid with an inlaid mother of pearl design comprising geometric shapes which combine to produce a 3D ‘trompe l’oeil’ effect of solid shapes within a rope twist border, the exterior of the lid with a small stamped mark and the interior of the box with three small stamped marks. The markings here, which can be seen on other examples indicate that we have Egyptian work and there are a fair number of similar silver boxes but more commonly in a round shape. They are usually dated to the mid twentieth century. The quality of the craftsmanship is obvious and the form and decoration make this a highly desirable collector’s item.
Burmese wood figure of a reclining Buddha with worshipper, C20th
Price: £25
This is a charming composition of a carved wood Buddha figure reclining on the ground, one arm outstretched and his head resting on a pillow. He is dressed in flowing robes which are skilfully depicted and at his feet kneels the figure of a monk, his hands clasped together in a pose of worship. The relative scale of the two emphasises the divinity of the god and the whole composition radiates serenity, calm and devotion. The work seems to be Chinese but the depiction of the monk reveals the work of a Burmese carver. Many other similar figures can be traced to Burmese work and so this is most likely what we have here. Dating is probably to the early twentieth century and, while not Chinese, the piece corresponds closely to the carved wood figures exported to the West from China at that time. The composition of Buddha being offered devotion by a religious attendant is most unusual and particularly appealing for Buddhists and non Buddhists alike.
Burmese doll figure of a Priest, C20th
Price: £45
This is a very curious piece indeed. The figure represented by the doll is clearly a man from the depiction of the face with its broad moustache; his hair is swept back and the forehead painted with three red lines which most likely have a ritual or religious significance suggesting that we have a priestly figure here. His torso and arms are closely bound in gold and blue fabric strips and below is a billowing pink robe with gilt thread decoration, now somewhat worn, but the truncated profile is strange. If there is a religious element perhaps the doll had some ritual function; it certainly has the appearance of one. The treatment of the face suggests Burma and there is clearly some age here, perhaps a dating to the mid or even early twentieth century but there do not seem to be any close parallels. One for a specialist collector perhaps and certainly someone with more knowledge than the puzzled cataloguer!
Wood Mask, Borneo late C20th
Price: £25
This is a striking wood mask, probably ebony, carved in a bold, semi abstract style, the facial details flanked on each side by two volute decorated ‘ears’, the back hollowed out and pierced at the top for hanging. These gargoyle like creations were made in Borneo, the island north of Java whose sovereignty is shared between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. They are held to be the work of the Dayak tribe and were sometimes used for harvest festival or fertility rites, soul catching and death ceremonies and spiritual dances, but were also, no doubt produced as tourist souvenirs which is most likely what we have here. The decorative appeal is obvious and the potential spiritual functions an added bonus.
Korean Najeonchilgi lacquerware jewellery Box, C20th
Price: £25
This is an example of Korean lacquerware known as ‘Najeonchilgi’. The technique, derived from both China and Japan, involves the inlay of shellfish derived small pieces onto a lacquerware base. ‘Najeon’ means ‘mother of pearl’ and ‘chilgi’ lacquerware. These wares were produced quite early on in Korea’s history with a ‘golden era’ during the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) but continued to be made until quite recent times. This box, then, made in the late C20th, comes at the end of a long run of a traditional manufacturing process but retains some of the hallmarks of its predecessors. The shape is rectangular with a bowed front, the hinges and clasp fastening in polished metal and the interior lined in red fabric with a mirror fitted to the underside of the lid. The highly polished black lacquer surface is inlaid with mother of pearl decoration, flowers to the front and a moonlit scene of storks to the lid, symbolising long life. Highly decorative in itself, this box is also extremely practical as storage item for a small jewellery collection and would be an elegant addition to the dressing table.
Burmese silver plated Scent Bottle on a chain c1880
Price: £45
This is a very wearable piece of fashion history. It comprises a large repousse decorated scent bottle cast from silver plated white metal and depicting Burmese lions, fitted to a very long necklace chain. The stopper is attached by chain and comes out to reveal the scent wand. Not without a practical use this piece certainly fulfils a decorative function!
Balinese Silver Bangle with Elephant Heads, 1980s
Price: £45
Balinese Silver Bangle with a typical rope twist design terminating in two elephant heads with raised trunks. One terminal with a small circular pad marked 925 (the nine is very feint and can only be seen with a loop). Style and form of decoration suggest a circa date in the 1980s.
Silver Butterfly form Pendant set with Abalone, Bali, C20th
Price: £95
A Balinese Art Nouveau style silver plaque Pendant in the form of a butterfly, the wings with beaded and ‘micro dot' decoration and set with four abalone panels. The plaque dates to the late C20th, probably 1970s/1980s and has been fitted with a complementary modern English silver belcher chain.
Art Deco Burmese dragon head Necklace, 1920s
Price: £75
This is a stunning and large necklace comprising a bold dragon head pendant formed from moulded brass with filigree work mounted with enamel to simulate stones. It comes attached to the original brass link necklace. This is a real show stopper!
An Octagonal Brass Tray with a roundel of an elephant, probably Persian early C20th
Price: £45
An octagonal Brass Tray with a short squared rim and a wide central well decorated with panels of sylised floral designs in various shapes all interlinked by narrow bands in milled edge decoration, the well with repeating geometric pattern borders and the centre with a raised design of a well modelled elephant standing amidst palm trees. The reverse plain and unpolished. The techniques employed here include repoussé and chased work, but with the addition of niello work where a black metallic alloy is employed as a background to other metal working techniques. Some of the elements of the design, particularly the borders and the central roundel of an elephant can look Indian but the floral work and use of colour is much more typical of Persian decoration and this is most likely what we have here, probably an early twentieth century creation intended as a tourist souvenir. Doubtless designed as a serving tray, this piece functions well as a decorative object for the wall which is why it was later given a soldered hanging fixture.
Indian wooden toy model of a Horse with metal fitments, early C20th
Price: £25
This is an amusing wood model of a horse, its right leg raised and the head looking expectantly forwards, the finely grained wood with metal fitments in brass and copper representing the ears, muzzle, saddle, saddle bags and tail, all with fine detailing and small nail fastenings. Many examples exist of these wood and metal horse figures which are usually held to have been made in India at Jodphur, Rajastan, in the early C20th. Presumably more intended for the local colonial audience these pieces have an obvious and wider appeal. The smaller sizes were probably intended as toys and perhaps the original owner of this piece played with it a little too vigorously which might explain the damage to the right front leg!
Fine quality pair of Brass Cobra Candlesticks, Indian first half C20th
Price: £95
A pair of brass candlesticks cast as two Cobra snakes with twisting tails acting as the feet with the bodies rising up erect from them, the stylised heads supporting the candle sconces and serrated edge drip pans. There are many examples of Indian made candlesticks cast in a similar form where the brass metal is combined with enamel decoration. This pair, lacking even incised detail to the metal surface as can occur, are much more unusual and striking in their simplicity. The brass itself is high quality and the pieces have a good weight. It is as if the Indian workmen have tried to adapt themselves to the angular simplicity of the Art Deco style. Unlike their more heavily decorated contemporaries, this pair of snakes would not have looked out of place in an Art Deco themed European interior. Dating is therefore quite reasonably to the 1920s or 1930s. Arresting in their time, these two Cobra snakes would deservedly attract attention today.
Four Papier-mâché Trinket Boxes, Kashmir, mid C20th
Price: £35
Four papier-mâché boxes, one circular and three of rounded rectangular form, all decorated in typical colourful floral designs, the circular example resembling quite closely the Chinese ‘mille-fleur’ pattern, the bases and the interior in black lacquer. The well known papier-mâché technique, in which items are formed from pulped paper dried to form a hard surface, is nearly ubiquitous, but Kashmir in India was a famed centre for the technique usually held to have commenced in production there in the 15th century when King Zain-ul-Abidin invited papier-mâché artists from Central Asia to practice their craft in his kingdom. These examples are much later, of course, and were probably made some time in the twentieth century, perhaps towards the middle, when the Kashmiri craftsmen were exporting their wares expansively. Their decorative appeal is obvious but, as storage items for trinkets they can perform a practical function as well.
Vintage Lacquer Box with an inset ceramic Shard, probably Persian C20th
Price: £25
A lacquer box of rounded square form with a concave, pillow form cover inset with a blue and white ceramic shard. The box is decorated with stylised scrolling foliage on a dark red ground and the ceramic fragment with a design of lotus flowers and clouds. The box was clearly designed to fit the shape of the shard which presumably derives from a vase of some form. Similar boxes are usually described as Chinese with inserts that are obviously Chinese as well, but the lacquer work on these looks more to be Persian and here, the ceramic fragment definitely has a Persian rather than Chinese style of decoration, suggesting that in this case, at least, both the box and its insert are, in fact, Persian. This was an ingenious way of recycling broken pieces of porcelain and these boxes seem to have been made as tourist souvenirs. Despite the aged appearance, dating is probably to the early to mid twentieth century.