New Arrivals
February 17, 2012
Can’t buy me love . . .
The story of Krishna is as ancient as any in the world. It’s told in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Krishna grows up among the 137 sacred forests on the banks of the Yamuna River. It is there he learns to dance, to share food and play with friends – simple activities known as leelas – and it is there he falls in love with common people, and common people fall in love with him. Ultimately, he becomes the most approachable of Gods, showering his followers with all forms of gifts, known as pushti, for their devotion. The moral of the story appears to be you can’t get love by giving gifts, but you can get gifts by giving love.
This week’s new arrival is a type of painting dealing with Krishna called a pichvai. Of all pichvai, this is the rarest type. It comes from the Deccan Plateau in Southern India and is simply called a “rainy day,” or Decanni pichvai. In this pichvai, Krishna is not even depicted as a person, but instead, as a kadamba tree, its branches keeping the monsoon clouds at bay as a group of adoring milkmaids, representing the people, are showered with blossoms underneath. This isn’t just decorative art. It’s art meant to remind us that giving love is the aperture to receiving everything else - including love itself.
Deccani “Rainy Day” Pichvai
Pigment and gold on hand spun indigo cloth
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India; 19th C.
77” Wide X 65” High
P.O.R.
Part of a much larger collection of pichvai in a broad range of prices
February 10, 2012
Unveil the romance of a glowing Moroccan night!
The Souks of Morocco are a labyrinth composed of shops, stalls and street sellers hawking every conceivable type of merchandise. By day, the Souk is a cacophonous riot of sights and sounds, a crowded summit accommodating all ages of buyers, sellers, and spectators of humanity. It is not just a place to do business, but to see business in all its guises. By night the complexion of the Souk changes entirely. Early in the evening, lively public displays give way to other pursuits. The aroma of flowers and spices fill the air like incense. Behind the shutters of closed shops and nearby apartments one can hear kids laughing as well as being scolded in between animated conversations. As night unfolds, the conversations become softer, even muffled, and eventually most lights go out. Those that remain tender a warm, intimate glow as if they are shimmering behind a thin, silken veil. It is pure romance - right out of a movie set.
This week’s new arrival features our Moroccan Wax Lantern. Made of beeswax, it is really a thick, non-scented, reusable wax cylinder, deeply embossed and painted with our own design referencing classical Moroccan motifs. Simply place a scented Primitive votive inside and instantly you can unveil the sight, scent – and romance - of a glowing Moroccan night.
Moroccan Wax Lantern
5” Diameter X 6” High
Available in white & pearl, red & gold, and cream & gold
$59
PRIMITIVE Votive Set composed of 6 votives and reusable etched glass holder
Available in 3 scents – Sandalwood, Nag Champa & Spiced Vanilla Bean.
$32
Lantern and Votive Set together
$79
Wax Lanterns also available in Tibetan Cloud Motif.
February 3, 2012
Does power reside in the seat or the person sitting in it?
Upon examining African furniture, it becomes apparent that tribal groups did not make armoires, desks, wardrobes, tables or dressers, no less modern, functional furniture like media centers. Instead, they made seats – lots of them – so many, in fact, an almost limitless repertoire can be found in this one single, relatively obscure category. It seems people in traditional African tribal groups like to sit, but not sit around having dinner at the table, signing important papers at their desk, putting on makeup, or watching TV, all activities which, generally speaking, require some other sort of furniture beside a seat.
This week’s new arrival features a throne fit for a king. It comes from the Bamileke Kingdom in Cameroon, West Africa. The kingdom is composed of multiple chiefdoms, each with its own chief known as a fon. We can’t say for certain this throne belonged to a fon, but we can be sure it was created for a person of great status and authority. Look closely and you’ll see it is covered with elephants, the Bamileke symbol of force and power; and on the arms, spiders, the symbol of intelligence and the ancestors. You can read this throne. It says, whoever sits here is powerful, imbued with the wisdom of the ancestors.
In the Bamileke Kingdom, prestige objects such as this were created for people high up in the “royal” hierarchy. The seat itself was meant to illustrate power and lofty status, which raises the question - does power reside in the seat or the person sitting in it? We can’t answer the question here, but we can say – here, a world away, this particular throne illustrates that when beauty and meaning merge, the status of whoever sits in it will automatically be elevated.
Throne
Bamileke People; Cameroon, West Africa
20th C.
Carved Wood
27" L X 22" D X 49" H
Part of a much larger collection of African seating
in a broad range of price
January 27, 2012
If only . . .
If only you could make your own money, literally. What would happen? Would all your cares vanish? Would you be any happier? What would you do with your time? Would you while it away in idle pursuits or spend it in service to others? Maybe you would do some of each. Would you buy “things” exclusively for yourself? Would you travel or stay at home? The questions go on and on and although the answers may or may not be readily apparent, this week’s new arrival actually makes it possible to make your own money. It’s a coin mold from a far away land and time – Mughal India. It’s made of a solid ingot of copper weighing three and a half pounds. Regardless of how it’s used, it can serve as a gentle reminder - no matter how much money you make, it’s what you do with it that really counts.
Coin Mold
India
17th/18th C.
6 ½” Long X 2 ¾” Deep X ¾” High
Copper
Part of a collection of coin molds ranging from $1,295-$1995
January 20, 2012
Disguise in love with you . . .
All masks are part of a disguise; but not all masks cover the face. This week’s new arrival illustrates this concept perfectly. It is a “body mask” created by the Yoruba people who reside in present day Nigeria. Carved from a single piece of wood and painted, it is then tied onto the torso of male Yoruba dancers who mimic and exaggerate female movements to create an effective illusion, the real purpose of any disguise.
The mask is worn for the Gelede Festival, an elaborate masquerade celebrating the special powers of women, both those who are physically here and those who are not, the ancestors. Collectively and affectionately, all are called “our mothers.” Ironically, it is the job of men disguised as women to dance vigorously and convincingly so our mothers will bestow their blessings on the community. However, one thing they can’t disguise is this mask, which stands alone as a compelling work of art – here or on the other side of the world in Yoruba land.
Body Mask
Part of our much larger collection of African art
Yoruba People
Nigeria, West Africa
Mid 20th C.
Wood and paint.
12 ½” Wide X 7 ½” Deep X 22” High
Price on request
January 13, 2012
How can an Altar Table alter your life?
Altar Tables have played a significant role and served a singular purpose in most cultures throughout the world. In the East, family members would use an Altar Table to place offerings for their ancestors; Taoists would conduct ceremonies at the table and venerate the “immortals” with offerings of their own; and Buddhists would use it to give offerings to Buddha out of respect, not necessity. A great example of this is this week’s new arrival – a 19th century Chinese Altar Table with a beautiful “scroll design.”
Today, in the West, a table like this is much more likely to be used as a console table against a wall or behind a sofa, the perfect perch for lamps, objects or artwork. You could certainly use it the same way as the 19th century Chinese; however, regardless of how it is used, this table will display enormous heart, soul and character, just like everything else at Primitive.
Altar Table with Scroll Bottom
Part of our much larger collection of altar tables
in a wide range of styles, sizes and prices.
Shan Xi Province, China
Mid-19th C.
Lacquered Walnut Wood
76 ½” Long X 13” Deep X 33” High
Height can be adjusted by our restoration department
$6,495
January 6, 2012
Evidence of a lost art!
The art of block printing textiles is ancient, dating back almost 5,000 years. In India, it’s said trade in beautifully printed cotton existed during Buddha’s time. By the 12th century the art form became the subject of royal patronage. By the 17th century, the country had become famous all over the world for its dyed and printed fabrics. Today, it barely exists at all.
The printing of textiles could never have occurred without hand carved, hardwood blocks called “bunta” - each a distinctive work of art in its own right. Bunta reflect the design imprinted on the fabric. They are to a fabric printer what a hammer is to a carpenter – their most essential tool – and this week’s new arrival features a collection of old, extraordinarily fine, intricately carved bunta.
Block printing of textiles is now commonly done by silkscreen and other automated processes. We might suggest you use these bunta to print your own textiles, to revive the craft; but they’re worth collecting for a different reason - because they come from the hand and the heart, just like everything else at Primitive.
Bunta Blocks
Carved teak and sheesham wood
Can be based, wall mounted or placed
just about anywhere
Ranging in size from 3 ¼” – 11” Wide X 2 ½” – 10 ¼” High
$89-149 Each
December 30, 2011
It's Charming!
This week's new arrival is a small charm depicting Ganesh, its trunk rubbed down after centuries of use. Ganesh is known as the remover of obstacles, destroyer of evil, and the Lord of Success. He is venerated as the God of education, knowledge, wisdom, and wealth; and if that's not enough, he is the personification of the material universe in every positive permutation. For centuries, pilgrims have carried these delightful charms with intention and purpose so they'll have Ganesh's help in creating a more rewarding and fulfilling life.
The world is filled with tales of miracles and wishes, all brought about because an open-minded person used a Ganesh charm to focus desire. The recipients may not have even believed in Ganesh, but it doesn't matter, because the ideas represented by Ganesh are truly non-denominational. Who wouldn't want more health, wealth, wisdom and love? All it takes is a willingness to see obstacles removed from a desire laden path, and perhaps a charm to help focus the view.
This week's new arrival came just in time to herald the new year. It comes with the hope that in 2012 each and every one of us will walk a path free from obstacles of our own or anyone else's making, a path laden with laughter, satisfaction, and wonder, and most of all, the hope we will all see our own path more clearly with a little help from Ganesh.
Ganesh Pilgrimage Charm
Bronze; 15th Century or Earlier
Part of a much larger collection of pilgrimage statues from India
Most ranging in size from 1" to 6" High
$495-2950
December 23, 2011
Q: When does a rug become a work of art?
A) When it tells a story.
B) When it's pleasing to the eye.
C) When it's imbued with the feelings of the weaver.
D) All of the above
This week's new arrival isn't just a simple floor covering. It tells a story about life in the Zagros Mountain range, a nomadic life which hasn't changed for centuries. The herds of sheep need to constantly move or there will be no food - for them or the nomads who depend upon them. Life, stripped down to the barest of necessities - a temporary home, fire to cook, water to drink - would seem to leave little room for beauty, but everything about this rug suggests otherwise.
The dyes, created from local vegetation, are soft and pleasing. The thick, loosely knotted pile, gives the rug the feeling of a painting. The imagery reflects life on the move, but it's not the urban life we may know, the life where there never seems to be enough time. It's the nomadic life, where there is only time. In an engaging way, this rug makes you think about what life on the move really means, and about what kind of person made it when they found them self with nothing but time on their hands.
We will never know the name of this person. Undoubtedly, it was a woman. That's the nature of this type of rug. It’s called a gabbeh, which means raw and natural in the local language. Authentic gabbeh are created by sensitive women for themselves and their loved ones. Whatever her name, the woman who wove this rug exhibited an impressive level of skill and artistic pride as she imbued the piece with all her feelings about life in the mountains and on the plains.
The answer to the above question is: D) All of the above. Knowing the answer doesn’t really tell us what it was like to create this rug – to shear the sheep, comb the wool, make the dyes, color the yarn, create the foundation and painstakingly knot the individual threads into a work of art on a well worn loom, which was handed down from mother to daughter for many generations. However, the answer does suggest the creation of this rug was less likely a matter of work than a labor of love.
Persian Gabbeh Rug
Part of Our Tribal Textile Collection
100% Wool
5'-1" X 9'-4"
$4495
December 19, 2011
A SYMBOL OF FACT OR FABLE?
This week’s new arrival augments our collection of Russian Icons. It tells the story of the “Burning Bush.” Regardless of your upbringing, you may have heard the story. Moses witnesses a burning bush, but it remains unconsumed by the fire. He hears God call out to him. “Remove your sandals,” says God. “You’re standing on holy ground.” He obeys. Then God beseeches him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God’s words light a fire in Moses.
This story has been depicted countless times, and over time rich and intricate symbolism developed around the story. In the story as it’s told on this week’s new arrival, there are more symbols than we can safely mention here; however, all obscure a bigger question: is the story fact or fable? The answer, though, hardly matters, because this icon symbolizes something else – the idea that each of us can be moved to take action, with or without divine inspiration, resulting in achievements and accomplishments which might only be described as divine.
Shown: The icon of Theotokos — the story of the “Unburning Bush”
19th Century
Oversized: 17” Wide X 21” High
Part of our larger collection of Russian Icons
$395-8950
December 11, 2011
Frame a bright future!
Hidden away in the rural villages of China’s minority peoples is an age old activity profoundly important to minority women – the creation of baby carriers. Baby carriers were far more than just a means to illustrate a mother’s love for her child. In fact, even before marriage, young girls would show off their handiwork to suitors as a personal emblem of their skill and as a means of garnering attention. Baby carriers were in every respect a true representation of a female’s individuality.
The entire process of creating a carrier, from growing, combing and weaving cotton, to raising silkworms and producing silk, to dying, stitching and embroidering – every aspect of design – took thought, care, creativity, and most of all, time. Each carrier was a true expression of love made by hand with dexterous fingers and silken threads. Working diligently, rural minority women created textile masterworks imbued with all their hopes and desires for a bountiful future. Now, beyond the future they imagined, one of these masterworks can grace your wall, framed, straps intact and artfully folded, serving as a gentle reminder that a bright future is always at your fingertips.
The piece shown here is part of a much larger collection which just arrived and will be the subject of an exhibition scheduled for early next year.
Chinese Minority Peoples Baby Carriers
19th/20th Centuries
All suitable for framing
$395 - 4295
December 2, 2011
All pillows are not created equal!
A pillow can mean different things to different people. Thousands of years ago a wad of hay wrapped in cloth worked wonders. Later, in Asia, pillows were considered a symbol of wealth and made of ceramic. They were also found in Egyptian tombs, made of wood, presumably to help whatever journey was taking place more comfortable.
There might be more pillows in the world than there are heads, but the best have always been luxurious to touch, comfortable, and attractive!
Our newly arrived, exclusive pillow collection combines leather, cashmere, wool and fur in a wide variety of combinations and sizes that are pleasing to the hand, the eyes, and the head! They prove all pillows are not created equal!
PRIMITIVE COLLECTION
Bolsters, cushions, and toss pillows
$595-895
November 25, 2011
See the world through a whole new window!
These newly arrived, petit wood shrines were kept in the clay houses of rural people in Rajasthan, India! Normally, they framed a small statue of Ganesh, the Remover of Obstacles; they might also have framed the statue of some other deity; they could even have held a small offering, perhaps a rupee or two or some flower petals.
Here, in the West they are also more than just decorative. They can be used to frame images of YOUR favorite deity; or perhaps a special charm; or even a small photograph, as we’ve done in the store. Whatever they frame, each will cause you to see your world through a whole new window, one filled with the magic of whatever you place inside!
Indian hardwood shrine frames
Ranging in size from 2 ¾” – 15 ½” Wide X 4 ¼” – 13 ½” High
Most pieces $95-149
November 18, 2011
Cloak your imagination in high style!
Felt – an 8,000 year old material. It can be raw and rugged, yet defiantly poetic. It embodies the drama of our ancestors, yet can be modern, sophisticated, elegant and playful. When masterfully worked it establishes a borderless, seamless connection with warmth, comfort, and most of all, imagination.
Stop in and see our newly arrived collection of felt hats exclusively created for Primitive. Each piece is handmade and each style is available in a range of color ways and sizes. All will cloak your imagination in high style.
Trunk Show!
If you want to meet designer and felt fashionista Zsofia Marx and learn more about felt, she will be joining us from Europe on Monday evening, November 28th for a trunk show and a “design dialogue.” The evening will be filled with refreshments, lively conversation and high fashion headgear!
RSVP
312-575-9600
Inspired felt hats and accessories.
$249-395
November 11, 2011
HIGH FASHION HEAD GEAR FOR ANY ALTITUDE!
Our new collection of women’s hats feature Finnish fox, Rex Rabbit, Mink & Italian leather, some embellished with hand knit wool lining. In multiple color ways, they represent the perfect merger of warmth, high style and timelessness.
$149-895 Exclusively at Primitive
November 4, 2011
Think INSIDE the Box!
The clanging and banging of blacksmiths and metalworkers comprise a distinct part of the curious sounds that make up the rhythm of rural India. Throughout history, one of the most important items created by these artisans has been containers - boxes - of all sorts.
This new collection of antique bronze and brass boxes comes from various states and villages in India. Each piece is its own unique composition reflecting enormous creative vigor and remarkable craftsmanship. Long ago, they contained holy powder, incense, keepsakes, and other valuables, whatever was precious to the owner. Now, here on the other side of the world, they can hold anything your imagination can conjure.
Antique Indian Boxes
Ranging in size from 1 ¾” – 9 ¾” wide X 1 ¾” – 9 ½” D X 1 ¾” – 9 ½” high.
Most pieces between $49-1295
October 28, 2011
Designed to carry tangible necessities and all your dreams!
Be a traveler, trader, and explorer. Go on a sojourn, an expedition. Voyage to anywhere your mind can take you. Find a place where anticipation meets expectation and discovery is a way of life, where what you say and how you act is a true reflection of your feelings, where you are totally free. Let the world know you cannot be confined to one set of borders, one idea, or one style. Be a Nomad.
Our new, exclusive Nomad bags can be a faithful companion wherever you choose to journey. We adorned them with attachments from Ethiopian warrior’s jackets. Each is as individual as the bag itself, proof that you’ve earned the right to travel whenever and however you wish!
White is many things to many people. It is also the color of this new collection of pots, ranging from rich, creamy white to clean and sheer white. Each is a unique gem.
NOMAD SHOULDER BAG
Goat Leather with antique brass attachments.
Available in select color combinations.
Removable purse included for phone, coins or cards.
$895
October 21, 2011
White is the color of . . . ?
White is the color of purity, clarity and hope; heaven, kindness and love; the moon, marriage and loyalty; and snow, good fortune and protection. It is also the color of a blank screen, symbolizing the wonder of imagination.
White is many things to many people. It is also the color of this new collection of pots, ranging from rich, creamy white to clean and sheer white. Each is a unique gem.
Invoke white and imagine how they might adorn your life!
White ceramic vessels
From 7 ½–13 ½” Diameter
10-19” High
$395-895
This collection arrived just in time for our Semi-annual Warehouse Sale, which is occurring now. Visit the warehouse at 1200 West 35th Street in Chicago between now and the end of day, Saturday, and you’ll find thousands of pieces in every color – including white!
For more information call 312-575-9600 or the Warehouse, 773-579-4359.
October 14, 2011
Three sisters named Poupee!
Many tribal groups in West Africa use dolls, known as poupee. The poupee crafted by the Mossi People of Burkina Faso are among the most distinctive on the entire African continent, perhaps because they have such a modern feeling.
Like all other dolls in Africa, Mossi dolls are created for play and magic and represent humans with spiritual powers. They always have a semi-circular head, a cylindrical shape, breasts, sometimes a navel, and usually no arms or hands, artistic devices not even understood by the carvers who create them.
These three dolls are covered in stitched leather. They undoubtedly came from the hand of the same carver and may even have been used by relatives or siblings. Each is a unique, rare example. Their most probable use was to insure fertility, a concept with many undertones of meaning. Now, they can be used as fantastic décor, maybe even for fertility, but above all as reminders of how much we share with cultures found worlds away.
These Mossi dolls just arrived. They are part of a much larger collection, which will appear at our Semi-annual Warehouse sale, which will take place from October 19-22 at the warehouse, 1200 West 35th Street. The sale price, of course, will be less than shown!
Mossi Dolls
13 ½ - 16” High
$995 each
This collection arrived just in time for our Semi-annual Warehouse Sale, which is occurring now. Visit the warehouse at 1200 West 35th Street in Chicago between now and the end of day, Saturday, and you’ll find thousands of pieces in every color – including white!
For more information call 312-575-9600 or the Warehouse, 773-579-4359.
October 7, 2011
Who wouldn’t want him in their home or office?
A thousand years ago there was an eccentric monk known as Hotai, “The friendly one.” His big stomach and jolly smile caused him to become known as the “Laughing Buddha.” He could pull many precious items from the sack he carried and the heavy robes he wore, his two attributes which never emptied. He became the patron saint of abundance.
If you were hungry he produced food; if you were unhappy he produced a smile; if you longed for luck, the next throw of the dice went your way. He could produce candy for the children and cures for the woes of the world. He could give plentitude and abundance in all forms, and all you had to do was one thing – touch his belly with all the desire you could muster.
Hotai
91/2” Wide X 10 ½” High
$1,295
This Hotai desired to emerge from a single block of Han Baiyu Stone (white jade), and to find his way across an ocean to become this week’s new arrival. He’ll make his first public appearance at our Semi-annual Warehouse sale, which will take place from October 19-22. at the warehouse, 1200 West 35th Street. The sale price will be less than shown, but you won’t need to purchase him to touch his belly!
September 30, 2011
See yourself in an ancient form!
Ceramics figure prominently in the history of China. Over many centuries, ceramic techniques slowly evolved, but always, there was great innovation.
This “chromed” porcelain ginger jar is part of a larger collection of ceramics which just arrived. The form may be long standing, but the glaze is brand new. It is not only artistic, but reflective of the innovation embodied in Chinese ceramics. Look into the jar and you may not only see yourself, but a special space where you would like to see it belong.
“Chromed” Ginger Jar
11” diameter X 23” high
$795
This week’s new arrival will make its public debut at our warehouse - 1200 West 35th Street - for our Semi-annual Warehouse Sale, which will take place October 19-22. It will be on sale for less than shown!
September 26, 2011
When does a piece of furniture become a work of art?
Furniture can be functional, artistic, even meaningful – but rarely all three. This beautiful lacquered and painted cabinet, crafted and rendered in Gansu Province, China, is practical, pleasing to the eye, and soothing to the mind. The sentiment expressed in the writing on the doors loosely translates as “The meditative person will shine like gold and prosper.”
This piece is part of our extraordinary collection of painted furniture. It has heart, soul and character, no matter where it is placed or when it is encountered. Add a little appreciation and the result is a lasting recipe for satisfaction, enjoyment, and pleasure.
Gansu Painted Cabinet
Mid 19th Century
62” L X 15.75” D X 30” H
Pine wood & pigment
$5,895
September 19, 2011
Transport yourself to the scent of another place and time with this unique collection of bronze incense burners!
Incense has one major accoutrement for its use - the incense burner, which may take the form of a unique bowl or dish known as a censer. While there is much to learn about incense itself – where and how it’s made, its ingredients and composition, where it is typically used, and how it is best stored – its appreciation can be immeasurably enhanced by the use of a unique burner.
The incense burners shown here are part of a much larger collection which just arrived on our most recent container. Add a little sand, perhaps some Primitive Pure Incense, and discover how easy it is to exercise your nose, heart and imagination!
Bronze incense burners $175-$2495
September 9, 2011
A revolution began over 300 years ago . . .
and it continues today! This new collection of Peking glass reflects the beginning of overlay glass production in China while appealing to aficionados with modern tastes.
In 1696, deep within the walls of the Forbidden City in Peking, a foreigner started an artistic revolution when he taught court artisans how to create multi-layered glass with unusually thick walls – overlay glass. The unique process combined hand blowing and dipping. At first, the forms were simple, composed of a single color. Over time, artisans added layers of multiple colors, carving through the layers to create objects of extraordinary virtuosity, but the importance and popularity of the simplest forms – especially those in the color known as Imperial yellow – never waned.
Each piece in this new collection echoes a time when the Imperial Temple gave objects of this sort as gifts to visiting dignitaries. The sleek beauty of the yellow glass meant the bearer had been embraced by nobility.
Yellow Peking Glass $395-1,995
Today, many colors and forms of Peking glass are produced. Four unusual pieces are featured in the “Buy It Now” section of Auction for the Creative Arts, a benefit for Children’s Memorial Hospital now taking place online and at PRIMITIVE next Thursday, September 15th. The pieces, pictured below, are each valued around $2,000, but you can buy them online now for only $1,195.
Log onto AuctionForTheCreativeArts.org and you will also discover 240 items for every type of collector or aficionado of attractive, meaningful and wondrous things. Participate and you will also benefit Children’s, one of the most extraordinary organizations we’ve ever encountere-- anywhere in the world!
If you wish to RSVP for the live auction, please call 312-575-9600.
August 31, 2011
Contemplate compassion...
This magnificent Thangka was woven in the traditional Tibetan style. Rendered in pure silk with organic dyes, it depicts a 1,000 armed Avolokiteshvara, the Buddhist deity of compassion.
The story goes that Avolokiteshvara, born from a tear in Buddha’s eye, vowed never to rest until all sentient beings were freed from misery. Buddha gave him eleven heads and 1,000 arms, each hand adorned with an eye, so that he could comprehend his task, see, and reach out to all in need of aid. Look closely and you can count the eleven heads. The 1,000 arms will take a lot longer.
The piece, hand carried back from a recent trip, is lot number 163 in the “Buy It Now” section of Auction for the Creative Arts, a benefit for Children’s Memorial Hospital now taking place online and at Primitive on Thursday, September 15th. The piece is valued between $2800-3200, but you can buy it online right now for only $1,875, including archival framing!
Log onto AuctionForTheCreativeArts.org and you will also discover 240 items for every type of collector or aficionado of attractive, meaningful and wondrous things. Participate and you will also benefit Children’s, one of the most extraordinary organizations we’ve ever encounter-- anywhere in the world!
For more information, give us a call at 312-575-9600.
August 24, 2011
Not too heavy to wear, but makes a weighty display!
This magnificent Lama’s crown comes from Ladakh, the “land of the high passes” in northern India. Studded with turquoise, mother of pearl, agate, carnelian and silver, it has to be one of the heaviest caps ever created.
The piece, which just arrived, is lot number 17 in Auction for the Creative Arts, a benefit for Children’s Memorial Hospital taking place at Primitive on Thursday, September 15th. The piece is valued between $3,000 - 3,500 including a custom base, but the starting bid is only $975!
You could be the lucky one to wear it home! Log onto AuctionForTheCreativeArts.org and you will also discover 240 items for every type of collector and aficionado of attractive, meaningful and wondrous things.
For more information, give us a call at 312-575-9600.
August 19, 2011
Just how modern can ancient be?
Custom pedestals sized and priced separately, available in different patinas.
Although tantric lingams are eons old, their timeless form epitomizes modern design.
Add our custom steel pedestals and you have a new twist on an ancient object!
They come from only one place in the world – the bottom of the Narmada River in western India. Our new collection was carefully hand selected for their purity of form, color, and the quality of their inclusions. Each is a cosmic egg, waiting to give birth to all things positive.
Part of an expanded collection – each one distinctive and different.
Ranging in size from 3 to 36 inches in height by varying diameters.
Priced from less than a hundred to more than ten thousand dollars.
August 6, 2011
Decorative, Petite and Useful!
These boxes used to contain tikka, a holy powder from India.
What can they hold for you?
Collected in Gujarat and Rajasthan states, each lidded gem is composed of painted wood with a worn, polished patina. They’re part of our expanded “box” collection.
Over 200 available – all are AUTHENTIC - each one is distinctive and different. Ranging in size from 2-3 inches in diameter and 3-5 inches in height.
$89 each
July 31, 2011
Namaste!
They may look African, but they’re from Western Nepal. All will greet you warmly with hands held high in prayer – but these aren’t greeters, they’re guardians - on a mission to protect you in every way possible!
Called “Bridgewatchers”, they are part of our expanded Himalayan collection.
There are more than 30 pieces, some wood, some stone – ALL AUTHENTIC.
Ranging in size from 10 to 45 inches high.
$995 - 6,950
July 22, 2011
Budget Bling!
Splurge and save at the same time!
Sparkle, glitter and gleam with our new collection of gemstone rings and earrings!
Cabochons, octagons, pear cuts, and more, set in pure sterling silver with mirror finishes.
Adorn your life with authentic gemstones enhanced by superb craftsmanship at even more
beautiful prices.
$79 - 249
July 8, 2011
Om Rings and Bracelets
A New Collection of Your Old Favorites
Wear these and bestow upon yourself true compassion, ageless wisdom, and enlightenment.
Bangles and rings in sterling silver featuring a beloved, ancient mantra - Om Mane Padme Hum, written in stylized Tibetan script. It's an invocation to the "Jewel in the Lotus," the compassionate aspect of ourselves.
Bangles: $295-495
Rings: $95-149
