This rare 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...

This pottery ewer was made during the Machang phase (c. 2300 - 2000 BC) of the Majiayao culture. Several examples of this general form are known, although this is an unusually small example. It is made from a relatively high-fired buff-coloured pottery that has been painted in a bold, yet simple, geometric pattern in a fired-on mineral-based pigment.

Height 12.5 cm (5 inches)...

This attractively-shaped 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 has high wide handles and a saddle-shaped mouth and a wide body. The varying surface colours, from black to a yellowish-brown are as a result of uneven temperatures during firing in the Neolithic kiln...

This elegantly-shaped 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 has high wide handles and a saddle-shaped mouth. The varying surface colours, from black to a yellowish-brown are as a result of uneven temperatures during firing in the Neolithic kiln...

This very 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 made from an orange-coloured pottery that in places has sooty deposits on the outer surface suggesting it was used placed in a fire to heat its contents. The top is partially covered with two purpose-made holes and applied strips of clay...

This rare pottery jar was made around 3,000 years ago 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 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", made from an orange-coloured pottery that has sooty deposits on the outer surface suggesting it was used placed in a fire to heat its contents. The lower body has been covered in repeated cord impressions...

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 an grey pottery...

This very rare and interesting pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Majiayao Culture, most likely during the Banshan phase (c. 2600 - 2300 BC) and is a most unusual example. It is made from quite a gritty clay with fairly small flat base, wide waist and wide flared mouth. The body has been decorated with applied strips of clay, whilst the mouth is decorated with four flanges that hav...

This very rare and unusual pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Majiayao Culture, most likely during the Banshan phase (c. 2600 - 2300 BC). It is made from quite a "gritty" buff-coloured pottery that has black (carbon?) deposits on its outer surface suggesting it was used as a cooking or heating vessel. It has one loop handle and a short spout enabling it to be used as a pouring vessel. T...

This rare and interesting pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Majiayao Culture, most likely during the Banshan phase (c. 2600 - 2300 BC). It is a particularly nice example of fine form, a relatively small flat base, wide body and fairly wide mouth with a flared rim. There is one loop handle joining the shoulder to the rim. It has been attractively decorated with notched strips of clay ap...

This rare and interesting pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Majiayao Culture, most likely during the Banshan phase (c. 2600 - 2300 BC). It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from quite a coarse clay, suitable to be used for heating its contents in a fire, as the sooty deposits on its outer surface would indeed suggest it was used for. It has one sturdy loop handle that is raised above ...

This very rare and unusual pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Majiayao Culture, most likely during the Banshan phase (c. 2600 - 2300 BC). It is made from a fairly unrefined clay and has been decorated with a notched rim and applied strips of clay. However, its most unusual feature is the three handles, spread equidistant around the rim, each of which are decorated with indentations and ...

This rare and unusual pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Majiayao Culture, most likely during the Banshan phase (c. 2600 - 2300 BC). It is made from quite a coarse "gritty" clay and has been elaborately decorated with the application of multiple strips of clay arranged in geometric patterns. There is one loop handle that is similarly decorated.

Height 11.5 cm. There is a hairline cr...

This very rare and unusual pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Majiayao Culture, most likely during the Banshan phase (c. 2600 - 2300 BC). It is made from quite a coarse pottery and fairly "crudely" made. It is of a most unusual form with the small loop handle at its top and the wide spout. 

Diameter 13.5 cm, height 10 cm. Although not immediately obvious, we believe the handle has ...