Very Rare & Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Dish (Ex. Lammers Collection)

This large and impressive porcelain dish was made during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. It is elaborately decorated in underglaze blue of good colour. Although it has some features of what many people refer to as "kraak" ware, it would be more correct to call this "Zhangzhou" or "Swatow" ware...

Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Enamelled Porcelain Bowl - Phoenix

This rare and attractive porcelain bowl was made during the Wanli Reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. This type of porcelain is referred to as "Swatow" or "Zhangzhou" ware and was often exported to the South East Asian market. The decoration is quite elaborate and has been executed with green and red enamels...

Fine Chinese Song Dynasty Incised Celadon Bowl (Ex. Lammers Collection)

This fine porcelain bowl was made during the 12th century at one of the kilns in Fujian province (most likely the Tongan kilns). The inner surface is attractively decorated with a scrolling floral pattern. It is coated in an olive-green glaze that is finely-crackled in places and that falls short of the base revealing the pale grey body.  

It is a good size with a diameter of 18 cm and a height of 7.5 cm...

Large Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Glazed Buddhist Jar

This large and impressive pottery jar was made around the 13th / 14th century, during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) or the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Until recent years, this type of jar was almost unknown in the west with some people initially attributing them to the Liao Dynasty (same general period but in the north of China). These jars are now known to have originated from Yunnan province in the south-west of China...

Miniature ghurra with a couple of birds to symbolise fertility. It is said that this type of miniature ghurra were used to churn smmal quantitu of milk when shephears were in summer pastures, obvious signs of use and age. Prsented on an metal stand. H 13 cm

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Lady Rider (36cm)

This attractive pottery model of a horse & female rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a relatively highly-fired buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in various different coloured pigments. The horse stands alert with its head turned a little to its left...

Very Rare Chinese Northern Dynasties Painted Pottery Horse (AD 386 - 581)

This extremely rare pottery model of a saddled horse was made during the Northern Dynasties period (AD 386 - 581). It is rather naively modelled from a dense grey pottery that is fairly high-fired. The body has been cold-painted in yellow-ochre, black and pale reddish-brown pigments whilst the upper surface of the base is painted white.

Height and length 27 cm...

Chinese Southern Song Dynasty Moulded Qingbai Porcelain Vase

This attractive pear-shaped vase was made during the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1127 - 1279), most likely at one of the kilns in Fujian province. Interestingly it is made in several sections that have been luted together. The mid section is decorated with a scrolling floral pattern, below which is moulded leaf decoration. It is coated in a finely-crackled pale greenish-blue qingbai glaze of good colour...

Fine Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Qingbai Porcelain Meiping

This qingbai glazed meiping was made during the 13th - 14th century, the latter part of the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) or the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368). It is quite heavily-potted and coated in a finely-crackled pale blueish-green Qingbai glaze.

Height 29.5 cm (11.25 inches). As is common with ware of this period and type, where thin, the glaze has flaked a little from the surface toward the base...

Fine Large Chinese Jin Dynasty Carved Stone Tile - Phoenix (AD 1115 - 1234)

This extremely rare large stone tile, or panel, dates to the Jin Dynasty (AD 1115 - 1234). The carving is of fine quality and features a phoenix standing amongst foliage within a square panel...

Early to mid 20th century sterling silver stamped Navajo Dine brooch with oval turquoise cabochon stone, stamped sterling twice on the back, has c clasp with safety catch. Measures 2 1/2" x 1 3/8" and is slightly domed in shape. The stone has considerably matrix, spider web effect, and is fairly dark turquoise, set firmly in bezel Nice deep stamping on the silver which is fairly heavy and sturdy...

Large Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Figure (horse rider)

This unusual pottery figure was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) and would once have sat on the back of a large horse. It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from a reddish-brown pottery. It has been "cold painted" in a base coat of creamy-white on top of which have been applied black, red and pink pigments...

Fine Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery "Stick" Girl

This fine and rare painted pottery figure of a nude girl was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8), more specifically, the 2nd century BC. It is one of a variety of Han Dynasty "stick" figures...

Large Chinese Jin Dynasty Carved Pottery Tile (AD 1115 - 1234)

This fine and rare pottery tile dates to the Jin Dynasty (AD 1115 - 1234). It is made from a dense fine-grained grey pottery. It features a carved figure in relief, the figure holding a staff in its right hand and, possibly, wiping away tears with the left hand. Theatre, opera and music were immensely popular during the Jin Dynasty and over the years various pottery tiles have been excavated from Shanxi province depicting a whole...

Fine Tall Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery "Stick" Girl

This fine and rare painted pottery figure was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8), more specifically, the 2nd century BC. It is one of a variety of Han Dynasty "stick" figures. The vast majority of "stick" figures represent males; female figures are particularly rare. It is made from a dense fine-grained grey pottery that has been "cold painted" after firing. It is believed that such figures originally had wooden ar...

Fine Tall Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery "Stick" Girl

This fine and rare painted pottery figure was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8), more specifically, the 2nd century BC. It is one of a variety of Han Dynasty "stick" figures. The vast majority of "stick" figures represent males; female figures are particularly rare. It is made from a dense fine-grained grey pottery that has been "cold painted" after firing. It is believed that such figures originally had wooden ar...

Fine Tall Chinese Neolithic Xiajiadian Culture Burnished Pottery Li Tripod

This superb and rare tall pottery vessel was made some 4,000 years ago by people of the Xiajiadian culture (c. 2300 - 1600 BC) from Inner Mongolia. This vessel is particularly characteristic of this Neolithic culture with its wide rim, partly hollow udder-shaped legs and carefully constructed body. It has a finely burnished surface, its smoothness making it a real pleasure to handle as well as to view. In places on th...

Rare Chinese Neolithic Pottery Tripod - Qijia Culture

This rare pottery tripod ("li") was made some 4,000 years ago. Although similar vessels were made by various Chinese Neolithic cultures, we believe this particular example to have been made by potters of the Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC). The form is of a cooking vessel and the three wide udder-shaped legs allow it to be stood in a fire with as much heat as possible being transmitted to the contents inside the vessel. Such tripods are...

Fine Chinese Han Dynasty Pottery Amphora (20.5cm / 8")

A superbly conceived design; jars of this general type have been found in excavations dating as far back as the Spring and Autumn Period (770-475 BC). Although perhaps not obviously Chinese in design, this type of vessel is one of the most iconic forms of Han Dynasty pottery and is thought by some archaeologists to be anthropomorphic, with the shape and "swirling" design of the main body based on the female human form.

This particu...

Fine Japanese 18th Century Imari Porcelain Dish 27.5cm

Dating to the 18th century, this fine dish is attractively decorated in the Imari colours, underglaze blue, red enamel and gilt. In the centre is a fenced-in tree in underglaze blue with red and gold leaves. Surrounding the central panel on top of the underglaze blue are red and gold peonies and three birds. Note also the simple yet attractive design to the underside. There are minor firing imperfections to the glaze (see photos) but not...

Tall Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Qingbai Glazed Porcelain Ewer

This impressive porcelain ewer was made during the latter part of the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) or possibly the following Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). It is quite "heavily-potted" and coated in a finely-crackled Qingbai glaze, pale green in colour. A thick handle joins the trumpet-shaped mouth to the shoulder. There is insignificant surface wear and there are old genuine gold lacquer ("kintsugi") repairs which have been perf...

Fine & Rare Chinese Tang Dynasty Sancai Glazed Pottery Horse and Female Rider (with Oxford TL Test)

This fine and attractive pottery model of a horse and equestrian was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906) and is made from a relatively high-fired creamy-white pottery. The female rider sits upright, her head turned very slightly to her left, her hands together in a demure posture; note the details of her clothing and hairstyle. The horse stands "foursquare" with its head also turned to...

Fine & Rare Chinese Ming Dynasty Moulded Kraak Blue & White Porcelain Dish

This fine-quality and very rare "kraak" porcelain dish was made at the Jingdezhen kilns during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. Its form and decoration are particularly rare and no example appears in the kraak "bible", "Kraak Porcelain" by Maura Rinaldi. The lobed wall has eight moulded panels containing various floral designs. On the inside of the dish the underglaze blue pattern is restricted to th...

Rare Tall Chinese Xixia Dynasty Glazed Stoneware Jar

This tall cylindrically-shaped storage jar comes from Ningxia in north-west China and dates to the Xixia Dynasty (1038 - 1227). It is "heavily-potted" and coated in a thick glaze, the colour varying from black to brown according to its thickness. This jar must have been placed close to other vessels in the kiln during firing as there are several kiln scars to the upper body. The wide foot remains unglazed with thick glaze covering the sli...

Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Vase, Late Ming Dynasty / Transitional

This attractive porcelain jar, or vase, was made in the Transitional period, c. 1620 - 1660, most likely during either the Tianqi reign (1621 - 1627) or the Chongzhen reign (1628 - 1643) of the Ming Dynasty. It is fairly "heavily-potted" and made in three sections that have been luted together prior to glazing. The bold underglaze blue pattern features blossoming plants on opposite sides of the body. It is coated in a thic...

Larger Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl - Phoenix - Mark & Period

This attractive flared-rim porcelain bowl was made during the latter part of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The underglaze blue decoration around the outer wall features two phoenixes in flight with their long tails. They are surrounded by a scrolling floral pattern. Around the inner rim is a key-fret band and in the centre of the bowl is another floral pattern. To the base is the four character "Tai Ming" mar...

Rare Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl - Dragon, Phoenix, Fish, Peony

This rare and unusual "Swatow" (or "Zhangzhou") blue & white porcelain bowl was made during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1573 - 1620). The underglaze blue decoration around the outer wall features a dragon, a phoenix and a peony. The inner design features a leaping fish amongst waves. Within the recessed base is a simple character or mark. It is coated in a thick glaze. There is some kiln grit...

Thai 16th Century Underglazed Footed Stoneware Box (from shipwreck)

This footed round stoneware box was made during the 16th century at the Sawankhalok kilns. It is decorated with scrolling and geometric patterns in underglaze iron-brown with a clear blueish and finely-crackled glaze. The inner surface of the box is coated with same clear blueish glaze.

This is an unusually large example of its type with a diameter of 13.25 cm. It is in very condition with no repair or restoration and ju...

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Female Courtier ("Fat Lady") AD 618 - 906

Perhaps the most desirable and collectable pottery sculpture from the Tang Dynasty is the female courtier, or "fat lady". This fine example was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). The figure is made from a reddish-brown pottery and is relatively highly-fired. There are minor firing fissures to the base of the figure where the pottery is thick. It has been cold-painted in a base coat of a creamy-white...

Vietnamese 15th Century Blue & White Blue & White Box (Ex. Grahame Clarke collection)

This attractively-shaped round box was made during the 15th century and has been recovered from a shipwreck. It is quite "heavily-potted" and decorated with a pattern featuring lotus leaf panels filled with floral or wave patterns. The underglaze blue has fired to a very dark blue.

The cover is fused to the box, either from its glaze during firing or from the effects of "calcified" sea deposits from it...

Vietnamese 15th Century Blue & White Blue & White Jar (Ex. Grahame Clarke collection)

This small blue & white jar was made during the 15th century. It is quite "heavily-potted" and decorated in underglaze blue that features a ring of leaves around the shoulder, below which is a scrolling floral pattern. The glaze is quite thick and in places there are blisters to the glaze suggesting this occurred during firing. The flat base remains unglazed. Height 6.75 cm, diameter 7.5 cm. It is in very g...

Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl - 15th Century (Ex. Grahame Clarke collection)

This attractive blue & white porcelain bowl was made c. 1470 - 1490. It is quite heavily-potted and coated in a crackled glaze. It is decorated in underglaze blue with a floral pattern on the outer wall and a character inside, with various blue bands. The recessed foot is unglazed. Diameter 10 cm. No repair or restoration. Fine condition.

For information: this is from the collection of the lat...

Very Rare LARGE Thai 13th - 15th Century Underglazed Bowl (Ex. Grahame Clarke Collection)

This superb large and extremely rare stoneware bowl was made during the 13th - 15th Century. It is "heavily-potted", coated in a white slip and decorated in underglaze iron, the design very similar to a smaller Vietnamese underglazed bowl we have from this period. It is coated in quite a thick clear pale green glaze that is finely-crackled. The thick foot is slightly splayed. Note the remains of the fir...

Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl - Birds (Ex. Grahame Clarke Collection)

This blue and white porcelain bowl was made in the 16th century. It is decorated in underglaze blue of good colour, the design featuring birds perched upon blossoming branches. To the base is a seal mark (not translated).

Diameter 12 cm. It is in good condition. There is minor surface wear, some "fritting" of the glaze at the rim edge and a kiln scar at the top of the outer wall. It has a good ring ...

Larger Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl (Ex. Grahame Clarke Collection)

This fine and attractive porcelain bowl was made during the 15th / early 16th century. It is decorated in underglaze blue of particularly good colour. In its centre enclosed within double blue rings is a peony, the emblem of spring and a symbol of riches, honour, love, affection and feminine beauty. A peony scroll decorates the outer wall. 

A larger size than most Ming bowls of this period with a dia...

Fine Thai 13th - 15th Century Celadon Stoneware Jar (Ex. Grahame Clarke Collection)

This attractively-shaped jar, or bottle, was made during the 13th - 15th centuries at the Sawankhalok kilns. It is coated in a finely-crackled translucent celadon glaze that falls short of the base revealing the stoneware body that has fired to a reddish-brown. There are bands of incised lines around the shoulder for decoration and two small loop handles. The glaze, where thin, has flaked a little from the r...