3 Run Li hair sticks

Chinalai Tribal Antiques, Ltd.

Carved bone hair sticks were worn by and were unique to Run Li woman in Hainan, China. These are three excellent examples from the early to mid 20th century, similar in detail, including that each figure is wearing a tall headdress and straddling a dragon, an important emblem in Li mythology. Two of the faces are tattooed, traditional in Li culture, and two headdresses are adorned with bits of metal, tiny bells and shiny beads. Additional finely etched patterns, similar to those you might find on Li textiles, appear on the bottom halves of the hair pins. The delicate work on the front of the sticks extends to the backs with similar attention to detail while also having to accommodate to the curvature and texture of the bone.  $1875 as a group; or $650 each.  The lengths are: 9-1/4", 9-3/4” and 10-1/4”.

$1,875.00

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