Asian Home Decor Ideas: Asian Antiques, Asian Art, Tribal Artefacts & Vintage Textiles

Asian antiques and art, along with tribal artefacts and textiles can serve as a wonderful source of decorating ideas for the home. Unlike factory produced home decor, genuine antiques and tribal artefacts resonate with that special quality born from age old artistic traditions. They radiate a particular beauty that echoes the longevity of their existence as well as the fascinating customs and symbolism of ancient cultures, often very distinct from our own.

Few styles of home décor inspire the imagination as much as an Asian theme. For millennium, Asian cultures have been crafting unique furnishings and objects of beauty for the home that enrich its ambiance as well as provide utility. While is it true that stylish Asian décor often comes with a high price tag, just a few simple objects or furnishings from the Orient can lift the mood of a home enormously- from antique pottery, silk wall hangings from Laos, a Thai Buddha statue, a Chinese cupboard, wood carvings, paintings, tribal textiles, a bronze bell, a piece of Burmese lacquerware to a bronze temple gong....

An appreciation of the Asian aesthetic in the West developed when the first visitors to the mystical East set their eyes upon such architectural grandeur as the ancient ruins of Angkor in Cambodia, the stupas of Bagan in Burma, Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang in Laos, Borobudor in Java, Indonesia and the massive Buddha images in Sukhothai, Thailand. And of course the homes and interiors of Asian dignitaries and hosts in exotic tribal villages. Today the West has embraced Asian home decor including tribal arts, recognizing their potential to transform a home into a sanctuary with a soothing mood to which one returns at the end of the day. Most of us will spend more time in our house than any other place, so it’s important for the home to be a place of comfort, interest and beauty.

The tradition of silk weaving in Laos has been passed down from mother to daughter for over 1000 years and is rich in symbolism, pre-dating Buddhism. A master weaver will often take several months to complete a complex piece. Silk textiles from Laos make beautiful wall hangings and runners for beds or tables. The colors and textures of oriental silk fabrics whether used in the living room, dining room or bedroom are an essential aspect of Asian home decor.

Buddhist art serves as a wonderful reminder of an ancient teaching intended to free people from suffering by letting go of fears and desires. Buddhist images throughout Asia each display their own unique artistic interpretation when seeking to honour the great Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhist art includes devotional paintings, bronze sculpture, wood carvings and decorated manuscript boxes that house the teachings of the Buddha etched onto palm leaves or lacquered plates.

The Burmese have an incredibly rich and fascinating artistic tradition that draws on its great ethnic diversity which includes tribal minorities such as the Naga, Hmong, Chin, and Karen peoples. Burmese art encompasses extravagant works of art as well as everyday objects of utility such as opium weights, bells, jewelry and lacquerware boxes.

Tribal artefacts from Southeast Asia include antique pipes, decorated shells, tribal jewelry in silver or bronze, paintings, wood carvings and hand woven textiles resplendent with tribal motifs sewn using a porcupine needle and dyed naturally using jackfruit, indigo, mahogany and lacquer.

An investment of time and money in Asian home decor can be one of the most rewarding in the sphere of home decorating when done properly. Conversely, it can lead to some of the gaudiest home decor if cheap and tacky decorations are chosen, rather than quality accessories. If you choose to integrate an Asian theme into your home, bear that in mind while you are shopping.

Sabai Designs Gallery offers visitors a treasure trove of Asian antiquities, collectibles and home decor sourced from throughout Southeast Asia over the course of 20 years. While many shops and galleries supplying Asian home decor are turning to reproductions as its gets more and more difficult to locate the genuine article, Sabai Designs Gallery continues to work hard to acquire and offer authentic antiques, art, textiles, and objects of beauty to grace your home.

Sabai Designs Gallery supports Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for injured and mistreated elephants. The park also provides love and a permanent home to scores of dogs as well as cats, ponies, buffalo and a rescued sun bear. To view photos of places and people throughout Southeast Asia visit the Photo Gallery.

Related Hubs you may enjoy:

• Silk Weaving in Laos: An Ancient Asian Tradition

• Antique Bells and the Artistic Traditions of Burma

• The Hmong Hill Tribe: Silver Jewelry & Embroidery

• Buddha Statues and Buddhist Symbolism

• A Sanctuary for Elephants in Thailand