Monday 6 November 2017

Asian Objet d'arts

Set deep in the countryside are a cluster of old barns that we enjoy visiting especially when searching out interesting gifts.

They are filled with eclectic artifacts that the owners have sourced from several Asian countries - some old, some early to mid 20th century and some reproductions. 
 A painting of the Empress Dowager Cixi - circa 1890
Old teak cow bells from Rajasthan - they make a delightful, mellow, throaty sound
The elegant 1930s Japanese lacquered pot with spout was for pouring sake
Calligraphy brush stands used for jewellery
Silver Miao Tribal necklace from Guizhou in SW China

along with a silver Miao Tribal headdress 
It was an invited Open Day; Visitors were plied with tasty, freshly made Asian snacks that kept magically appearing from the tiny kitchen.

Wooden ghee pots, ladles, and more cow bells hanging from an old peg rack, but do we really need an old ghee pot or a cow bell? interesting to see but I think not.
Chinese rice jar
There were lots of things to tempt us, but we resisted.
We particularly admired these Rajasthani lacquered dhubbi boxes also from the 1930 period.
However, we did successfully fulfill our quest, and returned home with some pretty Indian bangles for all the girls.

 which we hope that they will enjoy finding in their Christmas stockings. 

36 comments:

  1. Hello Rosemary, Your photos remind me of my more active period of collecting in the Taiwan antique markets. Today, there is little available that is Chinese, but a lot more of Tibetan, Indonesian, Japanese, etc., all amid a welter of reproductions. I'm glad you found the pieces you were looking for.
    --Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jim - I can imagine what fun it was looking arounbd the Taiwan antique markets when you first arrived judging by the interesting artifacts that you have shown from time to time on your blog.

      Delete
  2. I can imagine you want to take it all, but just looking at is also a pleasure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right - it was fun looking and find out just what some of the things actually were.

      Delete
  3. A tempting array indeed Rosemary, and lovely to look at. I would have been very tempted by the teak cow bells, and also the pretty rice jar. The dhubbi boxes are beautiful, but well done on finding the pretty bangles, a perfect stocking gift.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Patricia - the cow bells made a very captivating sound, and I imagine that if you owned one you would make it ring every time you walked past it. The pretty rice jar was lovely, but well over a £100.

      Delete
  4. Some intriguing items there. I too would have liked to hear one of those lovely cow bells.
    Glad your mission was accomplished and that you did not yield to temptation! I think an Indian bangle would be a delightful surprise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't yield to temptation which I would have done a few years back, but now I really ought to be getting rid of things.

      Delete
  5. I want to wear that tribal Miao necklace and headdress to work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love this comment Debra - you would look fabulous.

      Delete
  6. What an interesting place to look around and do a bit of shopping. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is a great place to visit Catherine - we only visit once a year as it is not very near to where we live.

      Delete
  7. Dear Rosemary, Wow! What a shot that first one. One could take lots of time looking from one corner of the photograph to another and always want to go back to the beginning.
    I have always loved boxes with lids...I could not have resisted taking at least one home with me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Gina - my fingers itched as I thought that they were lovely, but I have so many different little boxes that really I should be getting rid of some not buying more.

      Delete
  8. Lovely indeed, but as I tell myself when we visit Japan it really doesn't fit our decor which is early mess.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is true that if you purchase these Asian artifacts then they really need to compliment the style that you like and have in your home already.

      Delete
  9. Some lovely stuff there. A definite step up in quality from the re-loved furniture trend presently sweeping the country. One thing I noticed about current antique roadshow type programmes is how low the prices have dropped at auctions for items of real quality and craft you would think would command higher bids. The influence of E-bay type sites maybe? I used to watch them thinking Wow- big money... now it's usually- is that all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have noticed the same thing Bob - however, I know that items can be on the rise and very popular and then suddenly go into decline. On Bargain Hunt they had a lovely Victorian frosted glass and hand cut glass tazza dish, very similar to one that I have myself. It went for the lowly figure of £20 and I am sure that I paid about £85 for mine when travelling through Ireland.

      Delete
  10. All looks good and we here in Tasmania have shops that sell similar to what you are showing us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have to be careful that you are actually getting the genuine article and not a reproduction. The owners of this barn are scrupulous in telling you if it is genuine or not.

      Delete
  11. What a fascinating assortment of goods. I really like the porcelain from the east.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like eastern porcelain too - it seems to fit in comfortably within any setting.

      Delete
  12. I don't think I would have resisted the rice pot

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was lovely but quite expensive - a few years ago I would not have resisted, but now I realise that I need to actually get rid of stuff.

      Delete
  13. Some really great stuff , I don't think I would have been as brave as you to resist the temptation !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jane, yes, everyone else was walking out with lots of stuff even though it was rather expensive.

      Delete
  14. Some beautiful things there. I tend to get intimidated when faced with so much, though, not quite sure why!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is true that places like this can eventually become rather overwhelming.

      Delete
  15. What an unusual place to discover in the heart of the countryside. It looks much more interesting than visiting the high street. Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would much rather visit here than a high street any day, and they also hand out delicious snacks.

      Delete
  16. I have collected Chinese Blue & While porcelains / pottery for years .. I love it . I also have the red with black trim tea cups/bowls.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the blue and white porcelain too, it blends and compliments so many interior situations.

      Delete
  17. I can imagine that the silver head dress was very heavy. Very interesting items.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was very much lighter than I had imagined.

      Delete
  18. Wow! A interesting post I must say...
    Love from Titti

    ReplyDelete

❖PLEASE NOTE❖ Comments made by those who hide their identity will be deleted


“You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you - you have to go to them sometimes”

― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh