This interesting vase dates to the second half of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Each side features a moulded dragon against a background of waves and clouds. It is made from a sandy yellow stoneware and was most likely made in Shanxi province in the north of China. The outer surface, and inner mouth, are coated in a white slip on top of which is a very attractive and finely-crackled turquoise glaze. 

Height 21.5 cm (8.5 inches)...

This tall and very rare pottery model of a warrior was made during the Six Dynasties period (AD 220 - 589). It is solid and made from a dense buff-coloured pottery. It has been cold painted in various coloured pigments. Note the details of the clothing and the facial features...

This large and impressive pottery jar was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) and has been been excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province...

This rare stoneware figure was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). The majority of ancient Chinese pottery figures of this size are made from a much softer and lower-fired earthenware, particularly those from earlier periods. Stoneware examples, although not unknown, are extremely rare...

This fine pottery jar was made around 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC), from what is now eastern Gansu province, China. They produced a variety of pottery vessels including cord-impressed pottery of many shapes and sizes as well as finely-burnished jars such as this, with one, two or three handles...

This fine pottery jar was made around 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC), from what is now eastern Gansu province, China. They produced a variety of pottery vessels including cord-impressed pottery of many shapes and sizes as well as finely-burnished jars such as this, with one, two or three handles...

This fine pottery jar was made around 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC), from what is now eastern Gansu province, China. They produced a variety of pottery vessels including cord-impressed pottery of many shapes and sizes as well as finely-burnished jars such as this, with one, two or three handles...

This superbly-shaped pottery jar was made some 2,000 years ago during the Early Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) or possibly the earlier Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC). The shape, named after its similarity to the silkworm cocoon, evolved during the late Warring States period (475 - 221 BC) and then generally died out by the middle of the Western Han.

This example is of particularly fine form...

This superbly-shaped pottery jar was made some 2,000 years ago during the Early Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) or possibly the earlier Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC). The shape, named after its similarity to the silkworm cocoon, evolved during the late Warring States period (475 - 221 BC) and then generally died out by the middle of the Western Han.

This example is of particularly fine form...

This tall and impressive stoneware bottle was made during the Liao Dynasty (AD 907 - 1125). It is "heavily-potted" and coated with a thick teadust-type green glaze, both inside and out, except for the mouth that has been wiped clean of glaze. There are two sturdy loop handles from the shoulder to the neck. The lower body is decorated with a band that spirals down the body of the jar...

Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). A fine jar of attractive form and quite "heavily-potted", the upper body coated in a very finely-crackled pale green glaze. Some kiln scars to the glaze caused during the firing process of its manufacture.

Measurements: Height 30.5 cm (12 inches).

Condition: The glaze slightly degraded where thin...

This stoneware jar was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 -1279) or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368). We have had a few similar "dragon" jars over the years but it is extremely rare to see such a jar with not only a cover, but a cut-out bowl in which it stands. We have known that such items existed as there is one illustrated in a Chinese museum book (see above for reference). 

Such jars as this with an applied dragon...