Very Rare Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Buddhist Lotus Jar with Sanskrit Inscription

This very rare, possibly unique, pottery jar was made between the 10th and 13th centuries, during the Five Dynasties period (AD 906 - 960), Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) and has been excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province. 

It is one of the most unusual Yunnan jars that we have seen. The design represents either lotus leaves or a lotus blossom...

Chinese Northern Qi Dynasty Painted Pottery Figure (AD 550 - 577)

This rare and unusual painted pottery figure was made during the Northern Qi Dynasty (AD 550 - 577). It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments, traces of which still remain. Note the details of the clothing, the headgear, both tied with a bow, and the facial features...

Tall Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Sichuan Pottery Female Figure (Water Carrier) with Oxford TL Test

This fine tall pottery figure was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). A whole variety of pottery figures of varying sizes of this general type comprising farmers, musicians, domestic servants etc. are known and have been excavated from Sichuan province...

Fine & Very Rare Large Chinese Early Northern Wei Dynasty Glazed Pottery Armoured War Horse & Rider (with Oxford TL Test)

Surely among the rarest and most desirable of ancient Chinese pottery horses are the large glazed equestrians from Shanxi province dating to the early Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386 - 534). This is one such example...

Very Rare Large Chinese Early Northern Wei Dynasty Glazed Pottery War Horse & Rider

Surely among the rarest of ancient Chinese pottery horses are the large glazed equestrians from Shanxi province dating to the early Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386 - 534). This is one such example. It is made from a relatively high-fired buff-coloured pottery that has been coated in a finely-crackled amber coloured glaze, save for the flat base that remains unglazed...

Fine Chinese Song Dynasty Qingbai Glazed Porcelain Bowl with Moulded Floral Decoration

This fine porcelain bowl was made in the Southern Song Dynasty (AD1127 - 1279) around the 13th - 14th Century. The inner surface is decorated with a deep and crisp moulded pattern featuring lotus blossoms above which is a key fret band. Save for the unglazed rim, it is coated in a very finely-crackled qingbai glaze of a pale yellowish-green colour.

Diameter 15.5 cm (6 inches)...

Very Rare Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Textured & Interior Glazed Porcelain Wine Cup

This extremely rare (unique?) porcelain wine cup was made during the 12th - 14th Century (Song - Yuan Dynasty). The inner surface is coated in a finely-crackled pale olive-green celadon or qingbai type of glaze. But its most interesting feature is the unglazed textured outer wall, decorated with cord or fabric impressions. There is a firing bubble to the inner surface.

Height 3.8 cm...

Fine Chinese Yuan / Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Porcelain Bowl with Incised Design

This "heavily-potted" porcelain bowl was made in the 13th - 14th century during the Yuan (AD 1279 - 1368) or early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), most likely at the Longquan kilns in Zhejiang province. The upper outer wall is decorated with an incised wave pattern. It is coated in a crackled celadon glaze of good colour...

Fine Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Qingbai Glazed Porcelain Bowl

This attractively-shaped monochrome glazed porcelain bowl with flared rim was made during the 13th / 14th Century (Late Song - Yuan Dynasty). It is coated in a glossy finely-crackled transparent pale greenish-blue qingbai glaze save for the inner surface of the small foot that remains unglazed.

Diameter 13.5 cm (5.25 inches)...

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 lotus blossom pattern, below which is a repeating lotus leaf pattern. It is coated in a finely-crackled greenish-blue qingbai glaze that stops short of its foot...

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. The outer body is coated in a particularly glossy and finely-crackled pale green transparent qingbai glaze...

Two Chinese snuff bottles made of porcelain, both painted in underglaze blue and red...

Fine Rare Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Inscribed Buddhist Sanskrit Pottery Jar

This very rare and fascinating pottery jar was made around the 13th - 14th century during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) and has been excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province, at the time a particularly isolated part of China. It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery the surface colour varying in places from pale to dark grey although much of t...

Very Rare LARGE Chinese Qin Dynasty Military Listening Pottery Jar with Seal and Oxford TL Test

This oversized vessel, in the form of a "cocoon jar" was made during the Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC) or possibly a little earlier during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC), but even then by the Qin state. It is made from a fairly high-fired fine-grained grey pottery. The whole of the outer surface of the body is decorated with repeated cord or woven impressions, particularly crisp in places, ...

A Fine Pair of Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Granaries

This impressive fine pair of painted pottery jars, representing granaries, was made over two thousand years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). They are made from a fairly high-fired grey pottery. They have cylindrical bodies, each decorated with three surrounding bands of raised ridges, the tops of each jar representing tiled roofs. Each jar stands on three feet moulded into the form of a bear. Near th...

Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Camel

This small and attractive pottery model of a camel was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a reddish-brown pottery that has been cold-painted in a base coat of white with yellow-ochre and reddish-brown pigments on top. The camel stands upright with its head slightly raised.

Height 20 cm. It is in very good condition.

*** TO ORDER THIS ITEM PLEASE EMAIL US QUOTING OUR STOCK NUMBER (see above) - WE SHALL THEN EMAIL YOU...

Rare Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty Pack Horse (AD 386 - 534)

This rare and interesting pottery model of a pack horse, or pony, was made during the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386 - 534). It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" with a base coat of white pigment on top of which has been applied black pigment in places. Note the detail of the pack on its back that includes two water containers and a rabbit.

Height 25 cm, length 27 cm. It is in good overall conditi...

LARGE Chinese Warring States Impressed Pottery Jar with Oxford TL Test (475 - 221 BC)

This large and impressive pottery jar was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is made from a fine-grained grey pottery and has a smooth surface with bands of lightly incised/burnished lines surrounding the shoulder and the upper body. Around its middle are two bands of impressed decoration. Unusually, the whole of the outer surface has been cold painted with a thick white pigment that...

Fine LARGE Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Hu Jar with Hunting Scene (with Oxford TL Test)

This superb and impressive pottery jar (hu) was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is made from a fairly high-fired reddish pottery and coated in a particularly attractive streaky green and finely-crackled glaze, the colour of which varies according to its thickness. Interestingly, the drips of glaze to the mouth rim and the pooling of glaze to the flat base show that this jar was fired upsid...

Rare Chinese Sui Dynasty Glazed & Painted Pottery Horse & Rider (AD 581 - 618) (Ex. Roger Moss Collection)

This rare and finely-detailed model of a horse and rider was made during the Sui Dynasty. The horse stands upright with head straight ahead but slightly lowered. The dignitary sits upright upon the horse with his hands raised and wears elaborate robes and headgear. It is made from a relatively highly-fired buff-coloured pottery. It is coated in a finely-crackled straw-coloured glaze tha...

Large Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Glazed Buddhist Jar with Sanskrit Inscription

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-...

Very Rare Chinese Neolithic Qijia Culture Pottery Jar

This rare and unusual jar was made some 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC), in the north of China, what is now eastern Gansu province. It is made from a gritty reddish pottery. The outer surface has the impressions made by the shaping tool and there are horizontal notched strips of clay applied to the lower body. What makes this jar so rare and unusual, however, are the four loop handles and the...

Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Glazed Granary Jar with Cover

Although many different Han Dynasty granary jars are known, this example is quite rare. It was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) from a relatively high-fired red pottery, quite "heavily-potted", that has been glazed in two different colours. Mostly it is coated in an attractive amber coloured glaze. The upper band of a different colour was originally coated in a green glaze that has, as a result of very long burial in da...

Chinese Han Dynasty Pottery Amphora

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 particular example was mad...

Fine Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier (with stand)

This impressive pottery model of a warrior was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a dense grey pottery and quite highly-fired. He stands alert with his right hand raised. The pack on his back, a container for arrows, shows that he is an archer. In the hands would originally have been placed a miniature wooden shield and weapon, now long since rotted away and lost....

Fine Large Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Sichuan Pottery Female Entertainer (with Oxford TL Test)

This pottery model of a kneeling lady was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and excavated from Sichuan province. It is made from a reddish-coloured pottery. A variety of figures of this general type are known. They are often musicians and entertainers, and were made in a variety of sizes. This is a particularly well-detailed and rare example. She is kneeling and in her left hand sh...

Fine Tall Chinese Early Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Figure / Groom

This rare and interesting pottery model of a foreign groom was made in the early part of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from dense solid pottery (as opposed to being hollow as are the majority of Tang figures). The figure stands upright with his head turned to his right. His left hand is placed against his chest whilst his right arm and hand are outstretched. Note the fine detail of his clothing, headgear and es...

Rare Chinese Neolithic Pottery Tripod

This interesting pottery vessel was made over 3,000 years ago during the Chinese Neolithic or early Bronze Age. 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 its contents. It is not always easy to determine exactly which culture such vessels come from as similar vessels were made by various Chinese cultures. However, we understand this example was exc...

Rare Chinese Neolithic Pottery Tripod

This interesting pottery vessel was made over 3,000 years ago during the Chinese Neolithic or early Bronze Age. 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 its contents. It is not always easy to determine exactly which culture such vessels come from as similar vessels were made by various Chinese cultures. However, we understand this example was exc...

Rare Chinese Neolithic Pottery Tripod

This interesting pottery vessel was made over 3,000 years ago during the Chinese Neolithic or early Bronze Age. 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 its contents. It is not always easy to determine exactly which culture such vessels come from as similar vessels were made by various Chinese cultures. However, we understand this example was exc...

Rare Chinese Neolithic Pottery Tripod

This interesting pottery vessel was made over 3,000 years ago during the Chinese Neolithic or early Bronze Age. 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 its contents. It is not always easy to determine exactly which culture such vessels come from as similar vessels were made by various Chinese cultures. However, we understand this example was exc...

Chinese Neolithic Machang Phase Painted Pottery Jar (c. 2300 - 2000 BC)

This attractive pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago during the Machang Phase (c. 2300 - 2000 BC) of the Majiayao culture, also known as the Gansu-Yangshao culture, from present day Gansu or Qinghai province. It is made from a fairly highly-fired pale buff-coloured pottery, the surface colour varying a little in places due to uneven firing conditions. The painted geometric patterns covering the upper body and inner...

Large Chinese Early Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Groom

This tall and impressive pottery figure was made during the early Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is "heavily-potted" and made from a fairly high-fired pale greyish-brown pottery. It has been "cold-painted" in a base coat of creamy-white pigment with details picked out on top in red and black pigments, especially to the head and face.

This figure represents a foreign groom. He conveys power and self-confidence, standing alert and upr...

Large Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Figure

This large and impressive pottery figure represents an official or a dignitary and was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a high-fired buff-coloured pottery that has been cold-painted in a base coat of a creamy-white pigment with details picked out in red, pink and black pigments. The figure stands upright on an integral pedestal wearing a long flowing robe under which his hands are held together across his chest. No...

Very Rare Chinese Neolithic Painted Pottery Jar - Machang

This small pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago during the Machang Phase (c. 2300 - 2000 BC) of the Majiayao culture, also known as the Gansu-Yangshao culture, from present day Gansu or Qinghai province. It is made from a fairly high-fired pale pottery and is of a very unusual and rare form with its wide body, small unflared mouth, no handles and four pairs of purpose-made holes around its shoulder. These holes were clearly made ...

Very Rare Chinese Neolithic Painted Pottery Jar - Machang

This small pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago during the Machang Phase (c. 2300 - 2000 BC) of the Majiayao culture, also known as the Gansu-Yangshao culture, from present day Gansu or Qinghai province. It is made from a fairly high-fired pale pottery and is of a very unusual and rare form with its wide body, small unflared mouth, no handles and four pairs of purpose-made holes around its shoulder. These holes were clearly made ...