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Author Topic: Old Asian(?) carved box - Pls help identify  (Read 1720 times)

Psilocide

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Old Asian(?) carved box - Pls help identify
« on: July 14, 2018, 06:46:20 pm »
I'm trying to figure out more about the origin of this piece - what culture its from, time period, purpose?
Its a box carved from a single piece of wood, dimensions are 17.5x11x5.25
I bought it at an antique shop in Hawai'i about 15 years ago. They called it a "Tibetan Dream Box", but I assumed that was just marketing.
Anyone have any ideas what it is or where its from?
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mart

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Re: Old Asian(?) carved box - Pls help identify
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2018, 07:46:19 pm »
What does the inside look like ??  With animals on it I would be skeptical of the dream box theory !!  They did have boxes for dogs and pets remains !!  I would be more likely to think it was Hawiian rather than Tibetan !!  They have some fine carvers !!
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Psilocide

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Re: Old Asian(?) carved box - Pls help identify
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2018, 08:38:44 pm »
this is the inside - you can see it was carved out from a solid piece
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Rauville

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Re: Old Asian(?) carved box - Pls help identify
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2018, 08:43:17 pm »
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KC

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Re: Old Asian(?) carved box - Pls help identify
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2018, 08:47:10 pm »
Can you please tell me what island you bought it on - Oahu (Honolulu), Big Island of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai?

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KC

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Re: Old Asian(?) carved box - Pls help identify
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2018, 10:06:20 pm »
Doesn't look Hawaiian Mart.

Nice find Rauville!  Unusual to find one "exactly" alike unless was "mass" produced for tourism and not made for a specific person.

Items like this were very popular from Indonesia and most often found on Oahu.
(Not totally ruling out Malaysia.)

Many have been found in different forms in the estates of "wealthy and powerful" that were obtained in 1900's to 1930's.  Such an example is here:  https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/folk-art/outsider-self-taught-art/large-indonesian-carved-colorful-wood-mythical-animal-figural-box/id-f_1227096/
The price on this one is rather high but due to the provenance I suppose they feel they can get more $$$.

In our many trips to Hawaii we have seen quite a few in homes/businesses/museums.
« Last Edit: July 14, 2018, 10:53:56 pm by KC »
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Psilocide

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Re: Old Asian(?) carved box - Pls help identify
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2018, 06:13:08 pm »
The shop I bought it in was on Oahu.
I'm assuming the insect damage to mine makes it if significantly less value than those other examples.
But now I know what it is - thanks so much for everyone's help.
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mart

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Re: Old Asian(?) carved box - Pls help identify
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2018, 08:21:35 pm »
Well,, KC,, you know I do not know a thing about Hawaii !!  Except that its a group of Islands !!   
This box looks like it was made to sit upright !!  Look at the left side !!
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