This blanket chest was bought in Beijing but because of the design I thought it was Korean. Doing a little bit of research on the web I now think it from China, either from Shandong or perhaps Hebei. I cleaned up the finish a bit to bring out the wood grain which is quite fun. My guess on the age is 80 to 120 years. The wood is probably elm with white metal hardware.
Antique Chinese Kwan Yin w/ Child Statue. 250 years old from Shanxi Province. Damage in that there is a figure missing on the small lotus pedestal in the front. The shoes remain but that is it.
Yellow Torquoise Ball Necklace made by local artist Liz Lyle. The torquoise ball seems like a small planet.
Antique Chinese Tile from Shanxi Provence, approx 200 years old. This is a building tile. Both sides have the floral design. A sort of mustard yellow is apparent at spots. Some of the petal tips have pieces missing. Very fun garden item.
Tibetan Garuda Cabinet. Probably 60 to 90 years of age, this cabinet is a shrine cabinet. A few aspects reveal the religious aspect of this cabinet – the chotseng border around the front, the garuda figure on the door and the divided niches with the body of the cabinet.
Antique Tibetan Cabinet with four doors, painted with the khyung bur technique of raised gesso and paint on the doors. Beautiful mixture of gold and red on this low cabinet. 120 years old with dimensions of H26″ x W60″ x D12′.
Antique Chinese Lacquer Box. From Shanxi Province the food box has a woven body. This can be seen on the sides where the basket weaving is exposed. It is a very fine weave. The whole box speaks of elegance and refinement. The painting of the landscape was done by a highly accomplished artisan. Although damaged the painting is more like something that would be found on a silk scroll than those found on a gift box. Even the structure of the box with its indented corners and concave sides reveals that no expense was spared in its creation. Over 200 years old this antique box is
This is what is commonly known as a food box although its original purpose was not quite so utilitarian as the title suggests. These foodboxes were used to give gifts between people. The gifts were normally food – hence the name. The boxes were used to carry the gift, most often carried in public. The boxes of wealthy and influencial people were often recognizable and were a public display of a relationship. The more wealthy the person, the more ornate the food box to carry the gift.
Shanxi coffer, 120 - 150 years old. A coffer is a sort of strongbox where a family would keep their most valuable possessions. This one has delicately carved spandrels running down the sides. The carving along the apron continues floral theme. The remnants of the original red lacquer are quite warm. Each drawer has a central floral medallion which holds the security latch. Each drawer if beefed up for security with extra moulding and iron tacks. Below the three drawers are three floral cutout panels.
Photos by Neil Buckman.
A coffer is a sort of strongbox where a family would keep their most valuable possessions. The is one has delicately carved spandrels running down the sides. The carving along the apron continues floral theme. The remnants of the original lacquer are quite warm. Each drawer has a central floral medallion which holds the security latch. The latch could be locked to secure the contents.
Nepalese Buddha with Earth Witnessing MudraGold Leafed Buddha from Nepal, not old, 8″ high. Holding a begging bowl with serene expression. Notice how the eyes are so similar to the stupa at Swayambhu.
Liz Lyell is a local jeweler, living in Seattle. She has been making jewelry for over thirty years. She enjoys what she does, and it shows. This necklace is composed of red Czech glass beads. Alternating faceted and floral design.
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Liz Lyell is a local jeweler, living in Seattle. She has been making jewelry for over thirty years. She enjoys what she does, and it shows. This necklace has a focal point of shell that has been inlaid with turquoise and and coral. The shell is inlaid by craftsmen in Nepal. The cutting and inlaying of the shell are a family secret.
These ipad holders are made from regenerated leather which is one of the most environmentally friendly materials. It is produced of genuine leather scraps and natural, renewable raw materials such as natural latex, natural fat, natural tanning agents. 95% of the material are renewable, natural substances.
Wood container with lid with interesting ears protruding on four sides. The body of the container is composed of many vertical segments. They are bound together by two wires (one is missing). Remnants of the original lacquer remain. This container could possibly be used for grain. The four handles seem like a lot for a grain container. As a decorative element it has a very warm tone to the wood. The shape is pleasing with the gentle slope to the body and the interesting lobed ears. The ears seem more decorative than utilitarian.
“Chinese boxes and baskets are derived from a multitude of very practical applications. They were used for tea, opium, pillows, gift giving, food containers, artist and scholars’ supplies, bathing and an array of other household chores. Most are ingeniously engineered using a minimum of raw material resources and many are highly decorative as well a utilitarian”.1
Wood Carver Outside of Beijing
This wood carver is using the old school tools. Nowadays you can find small shops near this fellow that are empty except for a couple of tables with computerized systems that carve the wood designs. A technician sits in the back to load the wood onto the tables. Not quite as charming as seeing a real person.
There is a sort of market outside of Beijing where I have been going for about ten years now to buy chinese antique furniture. Right outside this market is where I took this video. It is kind of fun to take a taxi to this area because it is a bit outside of the city. And then you get on a side road, then you take a small road and then by the time you get to the really small road the taxi driver has this really confused look on his face. Like how does this white guy that can’t speak a word of Chinese know where we are out here in the boonies.
The market is fairly big, my guess would be a couple of hundred dealers. I get surprised in some way every time I go there. The last time I was there there was a dealer with some decorative stones that were about 25 feet high. They just took part of a mountain and put it in front of their shop.
Of course in China they have been carving up mountains for a while. In Han dynasty China it became very fashionable to give your parents these overwhelming funerals. These were really extravagant affairs that would sometimes even bankrupt the rest of the family. When families had no limit on what they would spend on funerals and burial monuments, the stone carving business boomed.
