Fine Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse (206 BC - AD 8)

This fine pottery model of a horse was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a fairly high-fired fine-grained grey pottery and has been "cold painted" in a pale pink pigment with details on top in red and black pigments. The horse stands upright and alert.

Height 27.5 cm...

Large Chinese Neolithic Pottery Jar - Siwa Culture (c. 1350 BC)

This large and impressive pottery jar dates to the Siwa culture (c. 1350 BC). From its fairly small flat base, the body spreads out to a wide waist and then tapers in again to a neck of about the same width as the base before flaring out to form the mouth. There are two loop handles that join the shoulder to the rim...

Fine & Rare Chinese Neolithic Siwa Culture Burnished Black Pottery Jar (c. 1350 BC)

This rare pottery vessel was made over 3,000 years ago by peoples of the Siwa Culture (c.1350 BC) from present day Gansu or Qinghai province. It is attractively-shaped with high handles, a saddle-shaped mouth and a wide body that tapers down to a small circular flat base...

Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse with Oxford TL Test

This fine and attractive pottery model of a horse was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a base coat of creamy-white pigment with details picked out in red pigment. The horse stands upright with its head turned to its right.

Height 27 cm, length 30 cm...

Large Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Sichuan Pottery Figure - Musician

This large and impressive pottery model of a musician was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and excavated from Sichuan province. A variety of figures of this general type excavated from Sichuan province are known...

Description: An archaic turquoise pendant was carved into two crouching Chilongs around a circular Huang. By ferocious features and animated postures, the fairy animals were rendered deliberately in every detail. From the characteristic features including the grooved spines, strenuous hips, legs, and claws, and the tiger-like heads, this carving piece embodied all the essential points in authenticating the Han date...

An unusual jade male dancer with his legs twirling around each other, one arm on his chest the other straight down on his side. Most of the color of the jade is gone except for some remnants of the original jade still remaining. I have strung him to be worn as a pendent. Age: Han Dynasty. Size:5.4cm. Condition: No repairs.

A Cizhou ceramic pillow with an ivory colored glaze which continues to a little above the base. The center of the headrest is painted fluidly with a floral spray in a brown iron pigment while a loose band of three freely incised lines encircle the flower. The base is left unglazed. Period: Song (10th Century) Size: Width = 23.5 cm (9-1/4 inches) Condition: No chips, cracks or repairs. Some loss of the glaze on both top edges.

Chinese Tang Dynasty Pottery Guardian Figure on Bull

This attractive pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a creamy-white pottery and depicts a guardian figure standing on top of a recumbent ox or bull. The figure is wearing elaborate armoured clothing and a helmet.

It is quite a large figure with a height of 30.5 cm (12 inches)...

A lovely boat shape of Five Dynasty covered with greyish celadon glaze, unglazed base. PERIOD : Pive Dynasty (9th Century). MEASUREMENT : 14.5 cm wide, 9 cm height. CONDITION : professional restoration on missing part

Description: A gilt bronze figure of Buddha was standing on a square base of a stele. Under a pointed nimbus, the Buddha Sakyamuni was in a gesture of preaching and enlightening. When preserved with the original gilding on most part of the surface, the bronze figurine was found at the frontal side of the base with a precise date inscription of Tien-Bao-Er-Nien(The second year of the Tien-Bao periods) which was from the dynasty of Northern Qi. It was the year of AD551...

An Ancient Greek Pottery Ewer Mycenaean era polychrome designs of mythological lions c. 1000 BC.-1030 Measures approx. 7.5 inches tall in good antique condition.

Rare Tall Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Sichuan Pottery Entertainer (with TL Test)

This rare and interesting large pottery figure was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and has been excavated from Sichuan province. Various pottery entertainers, dancers and musicians have been found in Sichuan province of varying sizes. This example, an overweight grotesque figure usually described as a storyteller playing a hand-held drum is particularly rare...

Large Chinese Neolithic Pottery Jar - Siwa Culture (c. 1350 BC)

This large and impressive pottery jar dates to the Siwa culture (c. 1350 BC), one of the later Chinese Neolithic cultures overlapping the Bronze Age, and has been excavated from Gansu or Qinghai province in the north-west of China...

Beatutiful and rare changsa bowl with brown, green and BLUE decoration colour, base unglazed. Height = 5.2 cm Width = 15.2 cm Period : Tang Dynasty Condition : Perfect, no chips, cracks, hairlines or restorations.

Large Chinese Neolithic Machang Painted Pottery Jar (Ex. Christie's)

This large 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 a well-made jar of fine form and good proportions. At the waist of its wide body are two sturdy loop handles...

Fine & Rare Chinese Northern Dynasties Painted Pottery Kneeling Camel with Oxford TL Test

This fine and very rare pottery model of a kneeling camel, laden with saddle bags, was made during the Eastern Wei Dynasty (AD 534 - 550) or the following Northern Qi Dynasty (AD 550 - 577). It is made from a pale greyish-brown pottery that is fairly highly-fired. It has been "cold painted" in a base coat of a creamy-white pigment with details picked out in brown, red and black pigments. The camel is i...

Fine Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Hu Jar with Animal Frieze (with Oxford TL Test)

This tall pottery jar (hu) was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) from a fairly high-fired pale reddish-brown pottery. The neck and shoulder are decorated with deeply incised bands but the main decoration is around the waist, a moulded frieze of a hunting scene including a man on horseback, dragon and leopard.

Interestingly, the drips of glaze to the mouth rim and the pooling of glaze to the f...

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. The "top" of the vessel, as well as the surface of the single andle, has woven impressions, most likely made when this piece of clay was being formed, resting on some kind of woven m...

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.

This is quite a tall figure with a height of 32 cm and is being sold as a restoration project (some sellers would ask more for the head on its ...

Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Attendant Figure

This pottery model of a male attendant, or servant, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). The figure stands with hands clasped together under a wide-sleeved robe. Note the presence of purpose-made holes above and below where the hands would be where a flag or banner (?) would originally have been placed diagonally, and presumably made of wood so long since rotted away and lost. It is made from a relatively highly...

Chinese Tang Dynasty Glazed Stoneware Tray & Wine Cup Set

This high-fired sturdy dish with eight accompanying cups was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). The finely-crackled and thin pale straw-coloured glaze was used sparingly, covering only the inner and outer edges of the dish, as well as the inner and upper outer surfaces of the cups. The glaze is so thin that in places on both the dish and the cups it has degraded and flaked from the surface. The cups are not uniform in size a...

Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Groom Figure

This interesting pottery model of a groom was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from a fairly high-fired grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in white, red, pink and black pigments. The figure wears a long garment and a head covering. He stands with his left hand outstretched as if holding the reigns of a horse (see our last image for an illustration of this). There are purp...

A beautiful and rare glass stupa from the Pyu area.Most of the glass has turned into a beautiful iridescent color which gives a wonderful feeling to this piece. The stupa is unusual as it has a hollow opening in the center. Age: 100 AD. Size: H. 1.9cm. W. At the base. 1.9cm. Condition: A small piece is missing at the base and because it is iridescent at the part also it probably was made that way.

Tall Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Pottery Hu Jar

This attractive pottery jar (or hu) was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). Its form is probably the most well-known of Han Dynasty pottery and every museum collection of Chinese ancient pottery will have an example. It is "heavily-potted" and made from a reddish pottery. The body and neck are decorated with bands of grooves that encircle the body. On opposing sides at the waist are moulded taotie mask ring handles. What makes this e...

A Beautifully carved tube shaped jade. It is hard to date this piece and cannot say that it is from the Hongshan period (3000BC). It is most likely from a later period as these item are extremely rare. It is not know what these were used for but it is thought to be for the hair ornament to hold the pony tail. Size: L. 8cm. W. 5cm

A celadon-colored jade pig of elegant shape and proportions. Unlike Han pigs which are stylized, this is sleek and more realistic. Jin pigs are rarer than Han pigs. The pig signifies wealth and prosperity in the Chinese culture. The celadon coloration of this jade is complex and translucent in some areas. There is a hole bored under the tail for stringing and attaching to the belt. I have included a reference book photos of a similar pig in the National Museum in China.

Period: West...

A Beautifully carved tube shaped jade. It is hard to date this piece and say that it is from the Hongshan period (3000BC). It is most likely from a later period as these item are extremely rare. It is not know what these were used for but it is thought to be for the hair ornament to hold the pony tail. Size: See Last photo

A very rare ancient eye bead from China from the Warring States period. It has a hole for stringing and can be worn. Size: Diameter. 2.5cm. Condition: Excellent for its age. One eye is slightly chipped. See last photo.

Description: A museum piece indeed as this tripod ceramic inkstone was recovered rarely in a unique form and was in perfect condition with original cover. On the top, a water basin which was in a shape of a crouching toad was capped as a knob. By excellent incising and molding work, the toad was vividly rendered. In a firm and sturdy condition, the inkstone was glazed with characteristic grayish green and yellowish slip and was supported by three stout bears. On the inner side and at the outer b...

Large Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Sheep Jar

This large and unusual pottery vessel in the form of a recumbent ram was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It has a thick cylindrical neck on its back quite a wide opening. Possible this vessel was used as base for the pole of a banner or screen support. Traces of the original "cold painted" coloured pigments can be seen.

Length 41 cm (16 inches), height 18.5 cm (7.25 inches). Overall condition is good; there is some loss o...

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 ...

Relics of the Nile is proud to present this superb ancient Egyptian bronze Osiris. This bronze has a wonderful olive patina. Osiris is depicted with his famous double crown, which is shown here in excellent detail. His arms with the crook and flail are crossed on his chest and even the detail to his eyes, nose, mouth, and false beard is amazing. This piece remains completely intact and stands an impressive 2 1/8" in height with a very imposing stature. A nice size for an Egyptian bronze. A...

Fine Chinese Neolithic Pottery Jar - Caiyuan Culture (c. 2600 - 2200 BC)

This rare and attractively-shaped round pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Caiyuan Culture (c. 2600 - 2200 BC) and has been excavated from the Ningxia Autonomous Region in the north of China. It has a wide body, straight neck and wide flared-mouth. The surface above the waist, as well as the inside of the mouth, has been finely-burnished and is very smooth to the touch. Around the neck is a band o...

A complete calcified "chicken bone" jade necklace from the Longshan Period. Jade that has been buried for millenniums sometime calcifies to a white color losing all of it's original color. Age: 2800-1900 BC. Size. Length(closed) 29.5cm. Condition: Age calcification.

Large Chinese Warring States Impressed Pottery Jar (475 - 221 BC)

This large and attractive pottery jar was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is made from a relatively high-fired dense grey pottery. The whole of the surface of the upper body has been decorated by impressing cord into the soft clay and then incising horizontal bands as the jar was turned; a simple yet very effective method of decoration.

Height 30 cm, diameter 28 cm. Condition is very good. There a...

A rare ancient agate bead made for wearing as a pendent or necklace. These beads date back to over 2,000 years. They have some kind of tiger influence in their shape and stripes.. Size: 4.2cm X 2cm. Condition: No breaks.

A good Five dynasty yue yao globular jar, jar decorated with carved lotus petal motif and covered with grayish green glaze.
Jar is in good condition with small flacking glaze near mouth rim, no chip, no crack, no restoration.
Size: 12.5 cm height.

Large Chinese Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) high-fired gray-black pottery bottle-form vase with geometric incised designs of unusually fine form. 11 1/2"H. Very good overall condition with minor wear. One thin old chip to the foot.

A Pair of Chinese Sui Dynasty Glazed Pottery Ladies with Oxford TL Test

This wonderful pair of ladies was made during the Sui Dynasty (AD 581 - 618). They are made from a creamy-white pottery and coated in an attractive pale yellow/straw glaze that is finely-crackled. Note the detail to the clothing, the hairstyle and especially the faces: exquisite !

These are from a long-established private English collection and come with a custom-made display stand. They are not perfect condition, bu...

LARGE Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier (206 BC - AD 8)

This large and 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 particularly "heavily-potted". It has been "cold painted" in white, red and black pigments. Note the character or symbol in white pigment under its right foot.

Although many Western Han Dynasty pottery soldiers of this general type are known, mo...

Fine Large Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Hu Jar with Hunting Scene

This fine and attractive 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 very finely-crackled glaze of unusual colour varying in places from green to a yellowish-brown. There are a couple of minor kiln scars to the glaze, quite common with Han glazed pottery.

The neck and shoulder are decorated with deeply incised bands between which are ...

Fine LARGE Chinese Han Dynasty Burnished Pottery Cocoon Jar

This wonderfully-shaped pottery jar was made during the early part of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) or possibly as early as the Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC). This type of jar is often referred to as a "cocoon jar" due to the shape of its body. This unusually large example has a particularly pleasing form.

Its function was that of a grain storage jar. It is quite "heavily-potted", relatively highly-fired and decorated w...

Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Zodiac Figure - Goat

This pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It takes a human form, other than the head which is of the zodiac animal represented, in this case the goat. The figure stands upright with hands clasped together against its chest under a flowing robe. It is made from a reddish pottery that has been cold-painted in a base coat of white on top of which are traces of orange and black pigments.

Height 26 cm (10.5 i...

Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Pottery Oil Lamp in Human Form

This pottery oil lamp was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is "heavily-potted", made from a reddish-brown pottery that is relatively highly-fired and is coated in a greenish-brown glaze that is very finely-crackled. In places the glaze has acquired a silvery iridescence, a reaction of the glaze to long exposure to moisture. This oil lamp is in the form of a kneeing human figure, its hands clasped together across its c...

Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Amber Glazed Pottery Stove

This pottery model of a stove was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). It is made from a reddish pottery and coated in a thick and attractive amber glaze. It has been made from moulded sections that have been luted together. There are three integral cooking pots with moulded decoration including fish, geometric patterns and a kneeling female figure with a pot. To the underside unglazed surface is a network of ancient root/p...

Fine Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider (206 BC - AD 8)

This fine and attractive pottery horse and rider was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a dark grey pottery, quite "heavily-potted", that has been "cold painted" in a base coat of creamy-white pigment with the details mostly picked out in red and black pigments although there are also traces of pink and green pigments in places. The horse stands alert, head facing fo...

A good Tang Changsha bowl with lotus motif, rounded side with deep center and unglazed base, bowl decorated with under glaze green and brown of Buddhist symbol "lotus" motif, covered with creamy white glaze.
Bowl is in good condition with good glaze, very minor glaze degradation on the rim, no chip, no crack, no restoration / no color added.
Size: 16 cm diameter.

A rare and nicely carved Pyu green fluorite elephant.Fluorite is one of the most collectible and highly sought after crystals in the world, loved by mineralogists and metaphysical healers alike. Its remarkable cubes are at times, almost too perfect to believe, emerging like magic treasure in matrix rock, or tightly stacked cube on cube like a futuristic city in miniature. Fluorite is an extraordinary creation of Nature, beautiful and luminous, soft and glassy, often vibrant in color.Condition:Pe...

Rare Chinese Tang Dynasty Stoneware Jar with Cover

This "heavily-potted" stoneware jar, complete with its original cover, was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). Like most Tang jars, its form is particularly pleasing. The finely-crackled transparent pale olive-green glaze is quite "streaky" and coats around the upper three-quarters of the outer surface, as well as the cover. The lower body remains unglazed showing the white stoneware body. Although the inside of the mouth is also co...

Afghanistan, ca. 3rd century AD. H. 23,5 cm. Ex. private collection The Hague, The Netherlands.

Rare Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Prostrate Figure with Inscription

This very rare pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a fairly highly-fired creamy-white pottery with features picked out in cold-painted red and black pigments. The figure is prostrate with knees and elbows on the ground possibly paying obeisance to a dignitary or emperor. Note especially the details of the facial features. To the base are Chinese characters in black pigment ...

Fine Thai Ban Chiang Incised Neolithic Pottery Jar (Ex. Christie's)

This pottery jar of rare form dates to the Ban Chiang period (c. 1500 BC - AD 300). It is heavily-potted with a rounded lower body and a wide flared mouth. The body has been decorated with incised geometric patterns. The surface colour of the pottery varies from a reddish-brown to black due to uneven conditions during firing.

Diameter at mouth 12.75 cm, height 9.5 cm. It is in fine condition with no sign of any restorati...

Rare Chinese Western Han Dynasty Small Bronze Ding

This bronze tripod vessel (ding) was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). The vessel stands on three simple short legs and has two sturdy handles on opposing sides. The vessel is holed in places and has fairly heavy corrosion, mostly azurite (blue), but also malachite (green) and cuprite (brown). Across the base is the mould casting line. Diameter 13.25 cm.

For information: this vessel is one of many items from a late pr...

A Five dynasty yue yao celadon jar,with grayish green glaze.excavated from east Java.Jar is in good condition with restoration one of the ear and two handles,(see pictur 6 before restorations).17,5 cm height, 14 cm diameter.

Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Musician (Drummer)

This fine pottery figure of a kneeling musician in the act of playing a hand-held drum was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from a fairly high-fired pottery that has been cold-painted in a thick white pigment on top of which are traces of orange and black pigments used for highlighting the details of the clothing and facial features.

Height 17.5 cm. Condition really is very good. T...

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. The flat base has marks where ...

Description:

A black-marble lion was in crouching posture.
Being rendered by excellent carving skill, the lion was in fierce look by bulge eyes, bared teeth and tongue.
Even though excavated with imperfections, the lion was still momentum by his strenuous muscle, the strong limbs and the flouring manes.
Bing preserved with original condition from excavation, the lion was perfectly fit to a custom-made brass base which was desighed and hammered by a modern metal artist. It ma...

Description: An archaic nephrite jade pendant or Huang was in greenish tint with white patches. By incursions of calcified white dots on the surface, the ancient jade piece was verified as a newly excavated piece. In a decent look and quite good size, this rare piece was carved meticulously on two sides with characteristic grain patterns. From the jade quality, the sleek manual carving lines, and the obvious incursions, we could authenticate the piece was from the dated Han Dynasty for sure. One...

Description: This ancient jade plaque with incursions caused probably by metal chemicals was kept well under earth for almost 3000 years. From the drilling holes on two ends, we can be sure that this plaque was used to be fastened with cloth or with identical jade plaques to form a funeral jade cloths for deceased people. Date: Western Zhou Dynasty (BC1121-BC771) Length: 3.7cm Width: 2.0cm