Gilt Tribal Art

A spectacular vintage Indonesia headdress or crown, suntiang, made and worn by the Minangkabau peoples, mid 20th century, circa 1960's or earlier, Sumatra, Indonesia. The large and elaborate crown or headdress created with tin and gilt metal studded with paste crystals, all attached to a metal frame. The center of the headdress features a pair of birds facing each other and surrounded by large blossoms studded with crystals. The flowers attached by metal springs, causing the blooms to move in response to the wearer, much like en tremblant jewelry. Hanging down from either side of the headdress is a river of hanging, chime shaped ornaments of pressed and gilt tin. The ornaments move freely, creating a gentle rustling sound. Suntiang, as these head ornaments are called, are either crowns of headdresses worn by the Minangkabau people for festivals or weddings. The more elaborate wedding headdresses...

China, a hand carved and hand painted wood group of three (3) Taoist Trinity figures: The Three Pure Ones. Measurements: 36 inches high and 14 inches wide and 10 inches deep each, Age: mid-late Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century. Background: Coming from an old Cheng-du private collection and originally ensconced in a Taoist temple, these sculptures feature original polychrome colors including remnants of old gold gilding, prayer/offering niches reverse and serene facial features. Condition commensurate and appropriate with their centuries of age. A rare find. Provenance: Acquired from an old Chinese collection, Chengdu China 2005. Catalog Reference: Schneible Fine Arts “35 Years Collecting 35 Treasures”, Number 21, p. 48 (see photos) History of The Three Pure Ones: The Three Pure Ones (Chinese: 三清; pinyin: Sānqīng) also translated as the Three Pure Pellucid Ones, the Three Pristine Ones, the Three Divine Teachers, the Three Clarities, or the Three Purities are the Taoist Trinity, the three highest Gods in the Taoist pantheon. They are regarded as pure manifestation of the Tao and the origin of all sentient beings. From the Taoist Classic Tao Te Ching, it was held that "The Tao produced One; One produced Two; Two produced Three. Each of the Three Pure Ones represents both a deity and a heaven. Yuanshi tianzun rules the first heaven, Yu-Qing, which is found in the Jade Mountain...