Catalog (320)

This fine and rare pottery model of a foreigner was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a red pottery that has been cold-painted in a thick white pigment with the facial details picked out in red and black pigments. This elegant figure, a groom, stands with his shoulders raised, head raised and turned to his right, one hand outstretched. Note the detail of the clothing, the headgear and especiall...

This rare bronze vessel dates to the Eastern Zhou period (770 - 221 BC). Such vessels are invariably referred to as "ritual wine vessels". It is of a rounded rectangular form. The body stands on four feet, one in each corner and of a mythical winged-human form. The front has a loop handled surmounted with a stylised buffalo head, its mouth open wide. The cover has a reticulated oval final in the form of interlinked s...

This fine and rare pair of painted pottery jars, representing granaries, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). They are made from a fairly high-fired grey pottery. They have cylindrical bodies, domed tops with fairly small circular openings. The ridges to the shoulder of each jar represent roof tiles. Each jar stands on three feet moulded into the form of a bear.

Many examples of...

This fine-quality pottery vessel, complete with its original cover, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a fine-grained grey pottery and quite highly-fired, both vessel and cover each having a distinct ring when tapped. This vessel, a ding, has sturdy square-cut handles and stands on three feet. The cover has a raised circular band on its top allowing it to be turned upside-down and u...

This large and extremely rare pottery jar was made by peoples of the Neolithic Xindian culture (c. 1200 - 500 BC). The Xindian culture is a relatively late Neolithic culture and overlaps with the Chinese Bronze Age. This jar is of the Tangwang type and is not quite as coarse in its construction as some other Xindian vessels. It is quite "heavily-potted" with two loop handles on opposing sides ...

This extremely rare pottery model of a saddled horse was made during the Northern Dynasties period (AD 386 - 581). It is rather naively modelled from a dense grey pottery that is fairly high-fired. The body has been cold-painted in reddish-brown, black and white pigments whilst the upper surface of the base is painted white.

Height 28 cm, length 26 cm. It is in very good condition and any possible repairs hav...

This fine pottery model of a horse and rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that is relatively highly-fired. It is finely-modelled with the horse standing alert, its head turned to its left. The rider sits, leaning back slightly, with his arms held out as though holding the reins of the horse; note his clothing and head gear. The body of the horse has been "cold-painted" in a bas...

Arguably the most desirable pottery sculpture from the Tang Dynasty is the female courtier, or "fat lady". This figure was made around the mid 8th century and is a particularly elegant example. The lady stands with her hands clasped together under her flowing robe and her head turned a little to the right. Note also the elaborate hairstyle. It is relatively highly-fired and made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "...

This impressive pottery model of a warrior was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8); as can be seen by the quiver on its back, this figure is that of an archer. It is made from a relatively high-fired dark grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment with the features and details picked out in red and black pigments. Originally this fi...

These fine pair of pottery figures, one male, one female, was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). They are made from quite a high-fired creamy-coloured pottery. They are very finely modelled: note the detail of the clothing, hairstyle and facial features. The figures stand side by side, upright, in respectful poses each with their hands held together across their stomachs. Traces of the original various di...

This large and imposing pottery jar, of "hu" form, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a fairly high-fired grey pottery. It has a particularly wide body with a relatively short neck that flares out into a wide mouth. There are three raised decorative bands surrounding its wide body. On opposite sides at the shoulder are moulded "taotie" mask handles. The outer surface has been cold-painted in creamy...

This large and impressive pottery jar dates to the Siwa culture (c. 1350 BC). It has a relatively small flat base and a wide saddle-shaped mouth. There are two loop handles that join the shoulder to the rim. The surface colour of the pottery has interesting variations in places, from an attractive deep orange to grey, a result of uneven conditions during the firing process. The clay is quite gritty and in places there are surface ...

This fine pottery model of a foreign groom was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been cold-painted in a base coat of white pigment on top of which is black pigment in places. At the end of the arms are purpose-made holes where originally would have been fixed separate hands, probably made of wood and now long since rotted away and lost. Note the details of the unusual hat, t...

This impressive 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 quite "heavily-potted" with a smooth surface and is fairly highly-fired. It has a short neck with flared mouth, and two sturdy loop handles on opposing sides at the waist. The outside of the jar and the mouth have been decor...

This attractively-shaped pottery jar was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is relatively highly-fired and has been made from flat slabs of pottery that have been luted together in imitation of an archaic bronze vessel. Its form is unique to the Western Han period and is known as a "feng ping". It still retains its original cover. Both cover and jar have been elaborately decorated with swirling cloud...

This attractively-shaped pottery jar was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is relatively highly-fired and has been made from flat slabs of pottery that have been luted together in imitation of an archaic bronze vessel. Its form is unique to the Western Han period and is known as a "feng ping". It still retains its original cover. Both cover and jar have been elaborately decorated with swirling cloud...

This fine and rare painted pottery figure of a nude girl 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 in a pale brown / flesh-coloured pi...

This tall and impressive pottery "stick" figure was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8), more specifically, the 2nd century BC. It is "heavily-potted" and made from a dense fine-grained pale grey pottery. It has been "cold painted" with a pink/brown flesh-coloured pigment. Note the detail of the facial features and the hairstyle, worn with a top knot.

Various types of "stick" figures have been excavated, altho...