A bronze bell dated Kanbun 10 (1670) which would have been suspended in front of a Shinto shrine worship hall, and struck with a knotted rope to awaken the gods to listen to one’s prayers. Inscribed in the surface around dials of lotus flowers is: An auspicious day in the 7th month of Kanbun 10, followed by the names Honda Yasutoki Ko and Hiramoto Sukeyuki opposite a dedication to the god of water the Hachidairyu-jin followed by a place name near Awazu in modern day Shiga prefecture...

Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Pottery Jar - For Repair (206 BC - AD 220)

This pottery jar of "hu" form was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) and comes from Shaanxi province in the northwest of China. It is made from a relatively highly-fired reddish pottery and has simple incised decorative bands surrounding the jar at its shoulder. The whole surface, including the base and inner mouth, is coated in an amber-coloured glaze that has a "bubbled" surface...

Vietnamese 15th Century Blue & White & Enamelled Covered Box

This very attractive covered box was made during the mid 15th century. It is quite "heavily-potted" and elaborately decorated in underglaze blue with a mixture of floral and geometric patterns. It is coated in a crackled glaze on top of which are traces of the original green enamel. Diameter 6.5 cm...

An antique, splendid hand painted 3-1/4" high lidded dresser or vanity jar, possibly for powder or storage. This Japanese Royal Nippon item features lush gold trim with jewelling and it depicts finely hand painted red and pink roses with foliage. It is signed with a Japanese seal signature on the bottom. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, crazing, losses, damage or repairs other than a bit of light gold wear and a couple of small paint misses on the lid...

Chinese Tang Dynasty Pottery Figure (for repair)

This pottery model of an official or dignitary was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a buff-coloured pottery and is particularly heavily-potted. It has been repaired in the past, including a poor repair at the neck. Since then the head has again been broken off the body...

DPRK / North Korean Museum Book Neolithic, Koryo Dynasty etc..

The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung said: "Our nation, celebrated for its long history and brilliant culture, has contributed a great deal of scientific creations and inventions to the treasure house of human culture since the ancient times."

Part of the introduction to this fine book...

Ancient Chinese Buddhist Pottery Amulet - Ming Dynasty

This is one of a group of moulded pottery tablets that we bought about twenty years ago. They are made from a relatively high-fired pottery and have a surprising amount of detail. They were made as amulets and votive offerings and were reported to have been excavated from the foundations of an ancient Buddhist temple, where originally many would have been placed to ensure the success of the temple...

Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Qingbai Glazed Porcelain Covered Jar

This attractive small covered jar was made during the 13th / 14th Century (Song / Yuan Dynasty). It is coated inside and out in a pale slightly greenish-blue Qingbai glaze. Around its waist are deeply incised lines for decoration and it stands on quite a sturdy foot. The cover has a carved pattern to give it the appearance of a tiled roof; this jar represents a granary.

Height 8 cm...

Rare Chinese Warring States Small Painted Pottery Dog (Toy)

This very rare pottery animal, that we assume to be a dog, was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is made from a grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in creamy-white and pale red pigments. It simplicity and small size suggests it made have been made as child's toy.

Length 9.5 cm (3.55 inches)...

Ancient Chinese Buddhist Pottery Amulet - Ming Dynasty

This is one of a group of moulded pottery tablets that we bought about twenty years ago. They are made from a relatively high-fired pottery and have a surprising amount of detail. They were made as amulets and votive offerings and were reported to have been excavated from the foundations of an ancient Buddhist temple, where originally many would have been placed to ensure the success of the temple...

Khmer 9th - 10th Century Glazed Stoneware Bottle

This small stoneware bottle was made during the 9th -10th Century. It is coated in a very pale and finely-crackled greenish-white glaze that has flaked from the surface in places, this being typical of early Khmer glazes. The body is a little under-fired, being absorbent, and has fired to a pale pinkish-white where unglazed toward the flat base. On opposing sides of the shoulder are two small thick loop handles. Height 10 cm...

Ancient Chinese Buddhist Pottery Amulet - Ming Dynasty

This is one of a group of moulded pottery tablets that we bought about twenty years ago...

Samples of Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Cup PERIOD : 19th Century MEASUREMENTS: 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm wide. CONDITION: white glaze has chip and hairlines, celadon has a tiny fritting, ming BW has chip and hairline, batavia cup has a tiny fritting.

Ming Dynasty blue and white plate with attractive bird and floral design. Note imperfection to the rim & glaze at time of manufacture and small chips to inside base rim. Diameter: 6.75 inches; height 1.25 inches.

Two Japanese rectangular bronze mirrors. Both 19th century. 7 x 0.1 and 6 x 0.2 cm. Combined weight 78g.

 

Japanese Antique Hand-painted Imari Bowl with Colourful Flower Design Meiji Period (1868-1912) Imari ware has been produced in Hizen area of Saga prefecture of Japan since 17th century. Very nice bowl for Japanese art collector. Size Width 5.4in ( 13.7cm ) Length 5.3in ( 13.5cm ) Height 2.6in ( 6.7cm ) Weight 10.93oz ( 310g ) Condition Overall good. No chips, no cracks.

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...