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...

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...

Fine Michael Cardew Large Stoneware Coffee Jug, Abuja Pottery

This impressive stoneware jug was made by Michael Cardew during his time at the Abuja Pottery, Nigeria. The photos speak for themselves! It has the impressed MC and Abuja Pottery seals.

Height 31 cm...

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...

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...

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...

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...

From his first design period, here is a William Spratling butterfly pin with bronze markings. Hallmarks date 1940-1944. A book-piece design shown on p. 39 of Spratling Silver: A Field Guide, this pin measures 3 1/4" x 2". Weight is 18.8 grams. Signed and hallmarked with the Spratling Made in Mexico Print Circle and Spratling Silver. In fine vintage condition. Pin closes with a roller.

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...

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...

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...