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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...