Finely carved flat mask depicting Tudigon, the very popular soil deity in China, the hairs of the beard and mustaches are missing. Hardwood, dark brown polychromy with patches of black; Mid 20th century, hardwood, prrsented on an iron stand H 23 x 12 cm

Beautiful face of a court lady with natural wood patina with some dark marks suggesting that perhaps this mask has been cleaned. The hair is enhanced with black color (as it was when purchased in 2003) and grouped at the top of the skull in a bun. The interior shows the patina of an oxidized and weathered hardwood. Importantage at least early 20th, H 29 cm X 15 cm

Mask representing the Buddhist monk Heishan, old yellow lacquer polychromy., interior shows a patina of natural hardwood, imprint of an old label?, crack without consequence on the right corner of the mouth, traces of rodents on the right nostril, first half to middle of the 20th. H 23cm x 13cm

ASAKUSA OPERA HOUSE 1941

Old Japanese oil painting on wooden board, with a scarce Tokyo's street scene with an external appearance of Asakusa Opera-kan Theater once existed until the prewar time (closed in 1944). Signed as 'Asakusa Opera-kan by Iino Keijiro, 1941' on the backside (signed as '40 at front side). 33.1 x 23.9 x 0.5 cm (13.03 x 9.40 x 0.19in)...

A set of shishi guardian carvings from high up on the front of a Buddhist temple, each cut from a single block of wood with fore-paws extended in a leaping motion and vicious snarls. Each is roughly 30 x 30 x 24 cm (12 x 12 x 9-1/2 cm tall and in overall excellent condition. These date from the Edo period...

Rare Chinese Neolithic Owl Jar / Ewer - Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC)

This rare and interesting pottery vessel was made by peoples of the Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC). Such vessels are sometimes called "owl" jars. It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from a grey pottery that is relatively highly-fired...

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...

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)...

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. There is good detail to the clothing and the hairstyle, but note especially the smiling face!

This ...

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...