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...

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...

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...

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...

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)...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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)...

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...

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 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...

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...