Asian Folk Art
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Place of Origin: Asian
Ararat Rugs Oversized Mamlouk Rug A Majestic Revival of Islamic Artistry Carpet
By Ararat Rugs
Located in Tokyo, JP
Origin and Inspiration:
The Mamlouk Rug is a contemporary masterpiece that draws its inspiration from the rich textile traditions of the Mamlouk Sultanate, which reigned over Egypt a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Revival Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
Ararat Rugs the Barbieri Tree Design Carpet, Persian Revival Rug, Natural Dyed
By Ararat Rugs
Located in Tokyo, JP
The source of carpet comes from the book Orient Star - A Carpet Collection, E. Heinrich Kirchheim, Hali Publications Ltd, 1993 nr.64 and Islamic Carpets, Joseph V. McMullan, Near Eas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Revival Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
Large Antique Indonesian Kris Dagger – Ethnographic collectible weapons
Located in London, GB
Large Antique Indonesian Kris Dagger – Ethnographic collectible weapons
A striking and authentic large antique Indonesian Kris (keris) dagger, dating to the early 20th century. This traditional Southeast Asian weapon features a dramatic curved zigzag (luk) blade, expertly forged and finely detailed, symbolizing power and spiritual energy. The blade is paired with a carved Horn hilt and shaped wooden sheath, showcasing classic Indonesian...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Rare Antique Japanese Oversized Sleeping Kimono (Yogi)
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Rare Antique Japanese Oversized Sleeping Kimono (Yogi)
This is the outer shell of a type of shaped sleeping kimono known as a yogi. Yogi were in more common use during the Edo and M...
Category
Late 19th Century Meiji Antique Asian Folk Art
Materials
Cotton, Linen
New Konya Fine Modern Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Central Anatolian Modern 'New' Fine Kilim from the Konya region with a rare and beautiful color composition.
As early as the 13th century Marco Polo noted, in his account...
Category
2010s Kilim Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber
Gianni Versace Collection Rug Wild Barocco, Gold Leopard Animal Print, 1980
By Gianni Versace
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rug designed and manufactured by Atelier Versace
Wild Barocco
Measures: 220 x 220
In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use
A vintage Gianni Versac...
Category
1980s Baroque Vintage Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
New Manisa Fine Handwoven Modern Kilim West Anatolian Rug Turkish Wool Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Western Anatolian Modern 'New' Fine Kilim from the Manisa region with a rare and beautiful color composition.
This kilim is woven according to traditional kilim technique...
Category
2010s Kilim Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber
Semi Old Vintage Handwoven Wool Mut Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a South Anatolian Vintage / Semi-old Handwoven Kilim from the town of Mut in Mersin Province, located in the Mediterranean region of Anatolia, Turkey. These kilims are renown...
Category
Late 20th Century Kilim Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber
Rare Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Ethnic Minority silver Coral necklace
Located in London, GB
A beautiful rare Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Ethnic Minority silver Coral turquoise necklace from Yunnan.
A superb chain necklace with added Taoist charms with turquoise and fine r...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Asian Folk Art
Materials
Coral, Silver
Antique Central Asian Silk Ikat Panel, Uzbekistan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Central Asian Silk Ikat Panel, Uzbekistan
A large mounted silk and cotton ‘adras’ ikat panel with a dynamic 4-color design of large red rings with white centers surrounded b...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Asian Folk Art
Materials
Cotton, Silk
Antique Japanese Recycled Boro Patchwork Futon Cover
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Japanese Recycled Boro Patchwork Futon Cover
This indigo-dyed patchwork boro futon cover is a physical testimony to the determination and resourcefulness of those living in ...
Category
Late 19th Century Meiji Antique Asian Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Semi Old Vintage Handwoven Wool Mut Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a South Anatolian Vintage / Semi-old Handwoven Kilim from the town of Mut in Mersin Province, located in the Mediterranean region of Anatolia, Turkey. These kilims are renown...
Category
Late 20th Century Kilim Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber
Zabihi Collection Pictorial Lion Sheep Vintage Turkish Rug dated 1980
Located in New York, NY
A late 20th century Turkish rug depicting 2 lions outlined in yellow and a pink sheep outlined in light blue on a brown field.
they all seem pretty happy, right? dated 1980
Measures...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Ararat Rugs Mamluk Wagireh Rug with Jerrehian Border Design Egypt Revival Carpet
By Ararat Rugs
Located in Tokyo, JP
The design source of the rug comes from the possession of Endre Unger, which was sold at Sotheby’s in 1992. That rug with the central star was designed in the early 16th-century rug ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Revival Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Organic Material, Natural Fiber
Vintage Ethnic Himalayan Tibetan Turquoise Coral Necklace
Located in London, GB
Vintage Ethnic Himalayan Turquoise Coral Necklace
A beautiful necklace of Tibetan Turquoise beads
interspersed with natural red coral and silver beads with silver clasp
Period 2nd ...
Category
20th Century Asian Folk Art
Materials
Silver
Rare Antique Woman’s Abaca Fiber Tube-Skirt, Philippines
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Rare Antique Woman’s Abaca Fiber Tube-Skirt, Philippines
The Subanen are an indigenous people living in the mountainous interior of Zamboanga del Sur on the Zamboanga Peninsula in w...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Asian Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Ararat Rugs Dragon Rug, Antique Caucasus Museum Revival Carpet, Natural Dyed
By Ararat Rugs
Located in Tokyo, JP
There has long been a fascination with the symbolism of the dragon and its depiction in carpet weavings. The design of ‘Dragon’ carpets consists of a field pattern composed of differ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Oushak Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
Antique Indian Embroidered Kantha Cloth
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Indian Embroidered Kantha Cloth
Indian kantha cloths originally developed as a way in which old sari cloth could be recycled and put to use. They’re usually composed of 3-4 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Asian Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Japan Pair Antique Gilt Quail Sculptures Hand-Cast, Signed
Located in South Burlington, VT
Fine Pair (2) Quails In gilt finish with original signed labels JAPAN
Japan, a pair (2) of antique quail sculptures hand-cast, Taisho period.
Fine old carvings with traces of aged...
Category
Early 20th Century Taisho Asian Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Ararat Rugs Dragon Rug, Antique Caucasus Museum Revival Carpet, Natural Dyed
By Ararat Rugs
Located in Tokyo, JP
There has long been a fascination with the symbolism of the dragon and its depiction in carpet weavings. The design of ‘Dragon’ carpets consists of a field pattern composed of different colored overlaid lattices formed of pointed, serrated leaves creating intersecting lozenges, which alternately contain palmettes and are flanked by confronting stylized dragons, birds, or animal figures. The most archaic of the ‘Dragon’ carpets include dragon motifs with birds and running animals relatively naturalistically drawn, which stand either alone or in confronting pairs facing a tree. The Graf carpet, originally found in a Damascene mosque, now in the Islamiches Museum, Berlin, is considered to be the oldest example of this type, see Serare Yetkin, Early Caucasian Carpets in Turkey, Vol. II, London, 1978, p.8, fig.118. Yetkin defines four types of ‘Dragon’ carpet: ‘Archaic’, ‘Four-Dragon’, ‘Dragon-and-Phoenix’ and as a further combined development of the latter, the ‘Two-Dragon’ style, of which the present carpet falls into the ‘Dragon-and-Phoenix group along with other examples, some of which include two fragments, one in the Museum fur Kunst und Gerwerbe, Hamburg; another in the Christian Museum, Esztergom, Hungary, a complete carpet in the Kier collection; an incomplete example in the Textile Museum, Washington, D.C; the ‘Cassirer’ Dragon carpet in the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection, Lugano; the Ali Pasa Mosque carpet in Tokat, and a further example in the Vakiflar Hali Museum, Istanbul (S. Yetkin, op. cit. pp.16-20). It has been suggested that the earliest examples of the Caucasian ‘Dragon’ carpets...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Revival Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Organic Material, Natural Fiber
Old Vintage Tekke Bukhara Turkmen Carpet, Bokhara Buhara Turkoman Rug
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Central Asian Old Tekke Bukhara Turkmen Carpet from the Turkmenistan Bukhara region with a rare and beautiful color composition.
Bukhara carpet (Turkmen Rug, Bokhara, Bu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Oushak Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber
Turkestan Old Yomut Turkoman Central Asian Yomud Cejim Jijim Kilim Rug
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Central Asian Old Yomut Kilim from the West Turkestan and Iran region with a rare and beautiful color composition.
The Yomut are to be found in north-east Iran, and acro...
Category
Mid-20th Century Kilim Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber
19th Century Middle Eastern Copper and Silver Ve
Located in Middleburg, VA
19th Century Middle Eastern Copper and Silver Vessel with copper chain handle. Richly decorated with hand-hammered peacocks and Arabic lettering.
A ...
Category
19th Century Moorish Antique Asian Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Silver, Copper
Zabihi Collection Vintage Turkish Goat Sheep Runner
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind mid 20th century decorative caliber vintage Turkish rug with what looks to be 4 lonely sheep or goats on a camel field? tough to say
3'5'' x 6'7''
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Antique Burmese Mandalay Period Buddhist Dancer Nat Spirit Deer Figure Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and exceptional antique Southeast Asian Burmese hand carved and gilded teak wood religious figure Buddhist temple -monastery sculpture.
Exquisitely hand-crafted in Burma (present day Myanmar) in the late 19th century, finely sculpted from a single piece of teakwood, exceptionally executed in period Mandalay taste, highly detailed and decorated, showcasing the most exquisite craftsmanship throughout.
Modeled in an exceedingly rare and unusual form, depicting a tall standing Na spirit figure, adorned in fanciful Royal dancer garment, elaborately decorated and embellished with brilliant polychrome colored mirrored glass jewel inlays, red lacquered dress tail, he stands carrying a golden stag deer around shoulders and neck, the naturalistic deer having delicate four point antlers, all over an ebonized base, resting on a custom later Thai wooden pedestal stand.
Dimensions: (approx)
Overall: 27"h, 9"w, 7.75"d
Figure: 19.25"h, 9"w, 7.5"d
Base 7.75"h, 8"w, 7.75"d; 10.5"h with post
Condition:
A superb museum quality example, wonderfully preserved original antique condition with nicely aged warm rich dark patina and minimal losses.
*Additional photos available upon request
We immediately gravitated towards it upon first sight, and have not seen another piece quite like it form, quality, or scope. It would look amazing in just about any setting, with its remarkable design and visually striking eye-catching light reflection, it's sure to become a focal point of any space, while adding a thoughtful touch of rich cultural history, sophistication, elegant warmth, tranquility and serenity to any home!
Provenance / Acquisition:
Personal property of Genshiro Kawamoto (b.1932), a Japanese real estate tycoon and avid decorative arts collector.
To give an idea of both the size of the collection and the wealth Mr. Kawamoto had amassed, he purchased numerous (many 100s) of multi-million dollar homes in Hawaii, always paying cash. A string of homes he purchased for $2M-$20M each with the intent of using them as museums, (most people use storage units) just to house and display items from his extensive collection of antiques and artifacts. About 30 properties with a collective value of $200M in the Kāhala area of Honolulu he left vacant for decades, allowing them to fall into disrepair and get boarded up, attracting many complaints and media attention.
Mr. Kawamoto was in the procession of building one of the most expensive homes ever built in Hawaii at the time of his arrest and subsequent deportation to his native country, Japan, where he was found guilty of tax evasion, sentenced to four years in prison and had his assets seized and auctioned off.
We acquired this wonderful example from a prominent antiques dealer in Maui, Hawaii, who personally knew Mr. Kawamoto and procured this sculpture from the estate.
Mythological History:
The golden deer...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Art Glass, Teak, Giltwood
Japan Huge Antique Pair Quail Sculptures Hand-Carved Red Lacquered
Located in South Burlington, VT
Fine Pair (2) Quails In A Monumental Size
Japan, a fine huge pair (2) of antique quail sculpture hand-carved and red lacquered, Taisho period.
Fine...
Category
Early 20th Century Taisho Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Traditional Japanese Batik (Wasarasa)
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Traditional Japanese Batik (Wasarasa)
Western inspired Japanese batik (wasarasa) designs became increasingly popular during the latter part of the Meiji (1868~1911) and Tais...
Category
Early 20th Century Taisho Asian Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Toyo Iron Kan'ei Tsūhō Coin Sculpture / Trivet, Japan, 20th Century
By Toyo
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Toyo Iron Kan'ei Tsūhō Coin Sculpture / Trivet, Japan, 20th Century. Retains the original Toyo label.
Category
20th Century Japonisme Asian Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Ararat Rugs Akstafa Kazak Rug - 19th C. Caucasian Revival Carpet Natural Dyed
By Ararat Rugs
Located in Tokyo, JP
Origin and Inspiration:
This stunning revival of the Akstafa Kazak Rug is a modern creation deeply rooted in the rich weaving traditions of the Caucasus, specifically inspired by the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Revival Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
Rajasthani Indian Hand Painted Wood Jewelry Dowry Box
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Rajasthani Indian vaulted dowry jewelry box, hand painted with Indian lovers enjoying each other, while beautiful court musicians accompany them ...
Category
20th Century Agra Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Erzurum Mihrab Kilim Rug Old Eastern Anatolian Turkish Carpet Wool
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is Eastern Anatolian antique Kilim from the Erzurum region with a rare and beautiful color composition.
This highly collectible antique kilim has wonderful special colors and ...
Category
Early 20th Century Kilim Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber
Japanese Big Antique Blue And White Hand-Painted Good Fortune Money Cat
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japan a rare large-scale and lovely hand-painted blue and white ceramic Maneki Neko good fortune money cat.
It is from the Arita/ imari kilns and dates to the early 20th century.
Notice the intricate detailed blue painting on white porcelain of this cat's eyes, body, necklace, and tail.
Dimensions: Big 15.5 inches tall and 7inches wide.
This comes from a very fine Kyoto area collection.
Handsome hand painted blue detail replete with a necklace with bells and bows.
Old original patina from appropriate age.
An earlier work of art that is hard to find in this size and quality.
Handmade and hand-painted.
Only one.
History:
The Maneki-Neko (Japanese literally -beckoning cat) - is a common Japanese figurine (lucky charm, talisman) which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. In Modern Times, they are usually made of ceramic or plastic. Wooden examples are few and far between. The figurine depicts a cat (traditionally a calico Japanese Bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed in—often at the entrance of—shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other businesses. The maneki-neko is sometimes also called the welcoming cat, lucky cat, money cat, happy cat...
Category
Early 20th Century Taisho Asian Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Japanese Signed Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask of Doji, Early Showa Period
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theatre.
The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood and is signed by the maker.
This mask is of the immortal character Doji who symbolizes perpetual and eternal youth ("doji" literally translates as "child") in the Noh theater world. He is portrayed as a handsome male...
Category
Mid-20th Century Showa Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Ancient Persian Khurasan Islamic Engraved Calligraphy Bronze Oil Lamp c.1200
Located in Portland, OR
A 12th Century Islamic bronze oil lamp, Eastern Persia, Khurasan.
The cast bronze body of compressed globular form, raised on a trumpet shaped foot, the...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Islamic Antique Asian Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Thai Asian Large Carved Wood Gilt Lacquer Kneeling Praying Temple Shrine Figure
Located in Studio City, CA
Truly, a wonderful piece. We gravitated towards it upon first sight. Very well done, beautiful detail and coloring. Quite unusual and rare in this pose. Very well preserved. We have ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Pair Vintage Gilt Pheasant Bird Sculptures, Signed
Located in South Burlington, VT
Beautiful pair (2) old Japanese vintage gilt pheasant bird sculptures.
Marked Japan on bottoms.
From our recent Japanese acquisitions in original condition with original attractive gilding present.
Japan, an attractive and iconic pair (2) pheasant sculptures with original gilt patina. One is poised with vertical tail and thehy other in a seated horizontal position.
The pheasant is considered Japan's national bird.
This creative simple adaption makes a compelling contemporary pair of sculptures.
Fine original used condition with original gold gilt patina appropriate to their age.
Original gilt patina from age.
Dimensions: 7 inches tall and 6.5 inches wide
Photographed in natural day light.
Quality: Excellent quality and fine craftsmanship by Japanese specialized artisans
Provenance: authentic Japanese examples (see labels).
Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. All of our Asian works of art come with our lifetime authenticity guarantee.
About Japan's Green Pheasant
In Japanese culture, the green pheasant is unofficially considered the national bird of the country owing to its references in ancient folk tales of Japan. The green pheasant was said to be a messenger of the Sun Goddess...
Category
Mid-20th Century Showa Asian Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Abaca Tapis Skirt, Philippines, Mid-20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Abaca Tapis Skirt
Bagobo people, Mindanao, Philippines
Mid-20th century
Hemp family
Measures: H 23.25 in x W 27.5 in
Fully opened: H: 46.5 in x W: 55 in
Abaca is a textile unique to...
Category
Mid-20th Century Asian Folk Art
Materials
Hemp
Antique Persian Bidjar Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Bidjar rug from the early 20th century. The wine red small Herati pattern field is overlaid by a light blue involute Herati medallion which, in turn, is centered b...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Early 20th Century Ceremonial Cloth / Tampan, South Sumatra, Indonesia
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century ceremonial cloth / Tampan, Paminggir, Lampung region, South Sumatra, Indonesia
Commonly referred to as ship cloths, these ceremonial tampan would have been used as gifts, wrappers, cushions or pillows in any number of life-transition ceremonies, including children’s first hair cutting...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Asian Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Ikat Textile from Sumba Island Stunning Tribal Motifs, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This exquisite ikat textile from Sumba Island, Indonesia, is a handwoven treasure that speaks to centuries of tradition, artistry, and cultural...
Category
1950s Other Vintage Asian Folk Art
Materials
Yarn
Zabihi Collection Green Besserabian Kilim
Located in New York, NY
a 3rd quarter of the 20th century Besserabian Kilim
Measures: 6'9" x 11'
Category
20th Century Bessarabian Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Japanese Antique Edo Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask Otobide 17th-18th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly beautiful, wonderfully aged, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theater. The naturally faded beauty and unique character drew us to this mask immediately.
The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood, clearly by a master of his trade.
We believe this mask is of the Noh theatre character Otobide.
This mask dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). It comes with a wooden storage box (which may have been added at a later date).
A rare, unique, and exquisite mask. Finely carved and executed. Would be a great addition to any Japanese or Asian art/artifacts collection or an eye-catching stand-alone accent piece in about any setting.
Mask dimensions: 7.7" high, 5.7" wide, 2.1" deep...
Category
18th Century Edo Antique Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Antique Japanese Recycled Saki-Ori Farmer’s Vest
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Japanese Recycled Saki-Ori Farmer’s Vest
This late 19th C recycled farmer’s vest from northern Japan was strip woven from repurposed cotton scraps in a technique known as sa...
Category
Late 19th Century Meiji Antique Asian Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Vintage Khorasan Style Bird Incense Burner in Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A 1970s interpretation of a 17th century Bird/chicken incense burner from the region of Khorasan in Afganistan. It stands peculiar yet proud. Its ma...
Category
1970s Khorassan Vintage Asian Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Antique Embroidered Nomadic Herder’s Vest, Tibet
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Embroidered Nomadic Herder’s Vest, Tibet
A rare example of a herder’s vest from west Tibet. Composed of thick natural brown Tibetan sheep’s wool, heavily embroidered with na...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Shoji Hamada Mingei Kakiyu Kaki Glaze Japanese Studio Pottery Yunomi Teacup
By Shoji Hamada
Located in Studio City, CA
An exquisite, beautifully crafted, and wonderfully designed Yunomi teacup by master Japanese potter Shoji Hamada featuring his wax-resistant technique and highly coveted rich Kaki glaze over Mashiko...
Category
Mid-20th Century Showa Asian Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
Oman, Silver & Gold Necklace with Amulet Box, 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Stunning and rare Omani tribal necklace in gold and silver featuring eight Burgau thalers dated 1780 and a large amulet box (Hirz) also in gold and silver. 19th century.
Very good condition. Preserved and professionally framed.
Dimensions of the necklace: 52 x 30 x 3
Dimensions of the frame: 70 x 47 x 5
Secure shipping.
This fine Omani necklace of silver and gold comprises two strands of spiky, seed pod-like silver beads; gold-wrapped beads; eight silver Maria Theresa thaler coins; and a large silver and gold amulet box, with multiple chain tassels each of which finishes with a square-shaped pendant cut from sheet silver.
The cigar-shaped amulet box called hirz would have contained some Koranic verse or religious text.
Such a spectacular display of wealth would only have been worn at times of important festivities such as marriage celebrations.
Maria Theresa thalers were made in Austria since the reign of Empress Maria Theresa of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Empress died in 1780 and since that time, all thalers that were subsequently struck were minted with that date regardless of the actual year that they were produced. The coins achieved such a level of trust for their silver content (which is 83.3% silver) in the Middle East that neither the design not the date was varied, and so for more than 200 years the coins were used as an international currency among the tribes and the states of the Middle East, in much the same way as the Spanish dollar was used as an international currency at the time elsewhere. The thalers were used to complete most important transactions locally and were also given as dowries. They were also an important source of silver and were melted locally for jewellery.
The coins made their way to the ports of the Red Sea, Egypt and northern Africa from the ports of Genoa, Trieste, Livorno and Marseille. European traders used the coins to buy precious materials from the Gulf and northern Africa which it desired – commodities such as spices, coffee, gum Arabic, indigo, pearls, and tortoise shell.
The importance and the beauty of the coins saw them incorporated into local jewellery most particularly in Oman and Yemen.
References
Al-Jadir, S., Arab & Islamic Silver, Stacey International, 1981.
Harrigan, P., ‘Tales of a Thaler’, Saudi Aramco World, January/February 2003.
Hawley, R., Omani Silver, Longman, 1978.
Hawley, R., Silver: The Traditional Art of Oman, Stacey International, 2000.
Rajab, J.S., Silver Jewellery of Oman, Tareq Rajab Museum, 1998.
Ransom, M., Silver Treasures from the Land of Sheba: Regional Yemeni Jewelry...
Category
19th Century Antique Asian Folk Art
Materials
Gold, Silver
Antique Konya Kilim Rug Wool Old Central Anatolian Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is Central Anatolian Antique Kilim from the Konya region with a rare and beautiful color composition.
This highly collectible antique kilim has wonderful special colors and tex...
Category
Early 20th Century Kilim Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber
Early 20th Century Ceremonial Cloth / Tampan, South Sumatra, Indonesia
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century Ceremonial Cloth / Tampan, Paminggir, Lampung region, South Sumatra, Indonesia
Commonly referred to as ship cloths, these ceremonial tampan would have been used as gifts, wrappers, cushions or pillows in any number of life-transition ceremonies, including children’s first hair cutting...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Asian Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Carved Wood Sculpture of the Hindu Deity Nandi With Pedestal, Circa 1920
Located in Point Richmond, CA
South Indian carved wood sculpture depicting the Hindu Deity of Nandi, a recumbent black bull figure, known within the Hindu faith as the vehicle for Siva, often depicted in sculptur...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Asian Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Hand-Carved Wood Tribal Mask from Atoni Tribe Timor
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This very flat mask originates from the Atoni people of Timor. For the Timorese people masks portray both male and female ancestors, worn by warriors to scare off enemies or during c...
Category
Early 20th Century Other Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Abstract Earth Tone Rug with Organic Shape by RAG home
By RAG home
Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID
This rug features an abstract, modern design with an organic, freeform shape. The color palette includes earthy tones like beige, terracotta, deep green, gray, and cream, creating a ...
Category
2010s Modern Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Acrylic
Shoji Hamada Mingei Kakiyu Kaki Glaze Japanese Pottery Yunomi Teacup Signed Box
By Shoji Hamada
Located in Studio City, CA
An exquisite, beautifully crafted, and wonderfully designed Yunomi teacup by master Japanese potter Shoji Hamada featuring his wax-resistant technique and highly coveted thick rich Kaki glaze over Mashiko stoneware pottery in a circular striped pattern. A unique work. Rare to find such a beautiful piece in such impeccable condition. It is a true pleasure to hold in your hand.
The original Hamada signed and sealed wood storage box is included.
A beautiful work. Would be a great addition and sure to shine in any Hamada or Japanese/Asian ceramics collection or serve as an eye-catching stand-alone accent piece in about any setting.
Shoji Hamada was designated a Living National...
Category
Mid-20th Century Showa Asian Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
Ikat Textile from Sumba Island, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Ikat textile originates from the Island of Sumba, Indonesia. It is hand-woven using naturally dyed yarns via a method passed on through generations. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Other Asian Folk Art
Materials
Yarn
Old Tekke Bukhara Turkmen Carpet, Cental Asian Turkoman Rug
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Central Asian Old Tekke Bukhara Turkmen Carpet from the Turkmenistan Bukhara region with a rare and beautiful color composition, high-quality materials like; wool & dyes.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Oushak Asian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber
Indonesian 'Wayang Kulit" Shadow Puppet, Java, Indonesia, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This flat shadow puppet was crafted on the island of Java by a puppet artist using buffalo hide and mounted on bamboo sticks. It features movable arms, controlled by outer bamboo rods (however this puppet lost one of its bamboo rods over the years due to age) It was used in Wayang puppet...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Asian Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Wood
Vintage Chinese Fu Lu Shou Feng Shui Trio Gods Figurines Statues
Located in Pomona, CA
This beautiful vintage set of three porcelain statues features the Chinese deities Fu, Lu, Shou, commonly known as the Fu Lu Shou gods in folks Chinese. Each statue represents a diff...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Asian Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain
Ikat Textile from Sumba Island Stunning Tribal Motifs, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This exquisite ikat textile from Sumba Island, Indonesia, is a handwoven treasure that speaks to centuries of tradition, artistry, and cultural...
Category
1950s Other Vintage Asian Folk Art
Materials
Yarn
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A Giant Wedding Cake Has Us Looking at Portuguese Tiles in a New Light
At Waddesdon Manor, artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a three-tiered patisserie inspired by the narrative tile work of her homeland. We take a look at the cake sculpture and how Portuguese tiles have been used in architecture from the 17th century to today.
Why Jules Chéret Was the King of the Modern Poster
The streets of fin-de-siècle Paris were set aglow with colorful poster ads, thanks to the printing techniques invented by Jules Chéret. Now, the Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating this undersung talent in America's first solo show dedicated his exuberant works.
Why the American Flag Has Had So Many Different Star Patterns
Expert Jeff Bridgman explains the history and meaning behind the twinkling constellations that have graced Old Glory.
Peggy Guggenheim Loved Modernism, but She Also Collected Tribal Art
The iconoclastic style setter displayed African and Oceanic art, as well as works by indigenous peoples of the Americas, alongside pieces by such major modernists as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.
The 13-Star American Flag Had More Variations Than You’d Think
Perfect for July 4th weekend, a new show at Philadelphia's Museum of the American Revolution displays an array of antique red, white and blue flags.
Tramp Art, America’s Most Misunderstood Art Form, Is Trending in Interiors
Designers are beginning to see this enigmatic form of folk art in a whole new light.