Very Rare Chinese Neolithic Qijia Culture Pottery Jar

This rare and unusual jar was made some 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC), in the north of China, what is now eastern Gansu province. It is made from a gritty reddish pottery. The outer surface has the impressions made by the shaping tool and there are horizontal notched strips of clay applied to the lower body...

Rare Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Pottery Hill Jar (Tigers, Stags, Horsemen)

This rare and unusual pottery vessel, the type known as a "hill jar", was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). It is made from a relatively high-fired reddish pottery that has been coated in a green glaze, the colour of which varies according its thickness.

Although many examples of "hill jars" are known, this particular example is unusually decorated...

Decorated with stylized mythical beasts against a geometrical background. Diameter 9,4 cm. Excellent condition with good age wear and patina. Comes with a custom made stand.

Made of red pottery, covered with a white slib on which the painting was applied. Some of the pigments are still remaining. H. 33 cm. Condition: very good, no traces of repair, although repairs are very common and accepted on archaeological pieces. There is paint loss and there is soil stuck to the figure. On the inside there are the remains of plant roots. A TL-test from Laboratory Kotalla confirms the authenticity of this piece. We bought three fat ladies that came from the same tomb...

Chinese Eastern Wei - Northern Qi Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider with Oxford TL Test

This attractive pottery model of a cloaked and hooded rider was made in the 6th Century during either the Eastern Wei Dynasty (AD 534 - 550) or the following Northern Qi Dynasty (AD 550 - 577). Pottery horses from this period have a distinct style different to the more common and later Tang Dynasty equivalents...

A choker necklace of assorted carnelian, calcedony,agate beads from China. Some of these beads are over 2,000 years old. There are also two carved,good luck,ivory pieces. Size: Length 41.5cm.

Rare Chinese Sui Dynasty Glazed & Painted Pottery Horse & Rider (AD 581 - 618) (Ex. Roger Moss Collection)

This rare and finely-detailed model of a horse and rider was made during the Sui Dynasty. The horse stands upright with head straight ahead but slightly lowered. The dignitary sits upright upon the horse with his hands raised and wears elaborate robes and headgear. It is made from a relatively highly-fired buff-coloured pottery...

Large Chinese Neolithic Painted Pottery Jar - Machang (c. 2300 - 2000 BC)

This large and 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. The pottery is an attractive pale orange/brown colour and it is relatively highly-fired. It is quite "heavily-potted" with a well-rounded body, two sturdy loop handles and flared mouth...

Chinese Northern Qi Dynasty Painted Pottery Figure (AD 550 - 577)

This rare and unusual painted pottery figure was made during the Northern Qi Dynasty (AD 550 - 577). It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments, traces of which still remain. Note the details of the clothing, the headgear, both tied with a bow, and the facial features...

Description:
A round-shaped pottery inkstone was well preserved.
Supported by three foot which were intriguingly and characteristically in figures as crouching animal, the inkstone was mold with flat surface.
The surface was used as grinding pool for inkcake, so it was concaved in the middle.
In two-step style on the surface, the outer lower rim was designed for resting the lacquered cover which had been decayed and vanished.
Overall it was in newly-excavated condition preserved ...

Rare Chinese Neolithic Banpo Cord-Impressed Pottery Amphora (Published)

This rather archaic looking pottery amphora was made over 6,000 years ago during the Banpo phase (c. 4800 - 4300 BC) of the Yangshao culture in present-day Shaanxi province. It is particularly heavily-potted and that has, no doubt, contributed greatly to its survival in almost perfect condition...

Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Foreign Groom Figure

This pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906) and represents a foreigner, in this case, a groom. It is made from a red pottery that has been cold-painted in various coloured pigments. The figure stands with legs apart, head held up and arms raised. The facial features are quite well-defined; note also the head gear.

A good size with a height of 30 cm...

Chinese Tang dynasty (618-907) pottery figure of a standing lady (often referred to as a “fat lady”), dressed in a long-sleeved, high-waisted, full-length robe...

Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Lady Rider (41cm)

This impressive pottery model of a horse & female rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is "heavily-potted" and made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in various different coloured pigments. The horse stands alert with its head turned a little to its left, the lady sits upright with one hand resting on her tummy. Note the detail of the horse's mane on its left side.

This is a ...

Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Lady Rider (43cm)

This impressive pottery model of a horse & female rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is "heavily-potted" and made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in various different coloured pigments. The horse stands alert with its head turned a little to its left, the lady sits upright with one hand resting on her tummy; note her elaborate hairstyle and also the detail of the horse's mane ...

Large Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty Painted Pottery Saddled Horse with Oxford TL Test

This impressive pottery horse was made during the latter part of the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386 - 534). It is made from a buff-coloured pottery and is quite "heavily-potted". Its surface has been cold-painted in a creamy-white pigment, good traces of which still remain. The horse stands upright and alert. On its back is a large integral saddle.

Height 37 cm (14.5 inches). This horse is available for in...

Fine Chinese Han Dynasty Pottery Amphora (20.5cm / 8")

A superbly conceived design; jars of this general type have been found in excavations dating as far back as the Spring and Autumn Period (770-475 BC). Although perhaps not obviously Chinese in design, this type of vessel is one of the most iconic forms of Han Dynasty pottery and is thought by some archaeologists to be anthropomorphic, with the shape and "swirling" design of the main body based on the female human form.

This particu...

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...

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 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.

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...

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 ...

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...

Rare Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty Pack Horse (AD 386 - 534)

This rare and interesting pottery model of a pack horse, or pony, was made during the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386 - 534). It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" with a base coat of white pigment on top of which has been applied black pigment in places. Note the detail of the pack on its back that includes two water containers and a rabbit.

Height 25 cm, length 27 cm. It is in good overall conditi...

Chinese Western Han Dynasty Incised & 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 the preceding Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC). This type of jar is usually referred to as a "cocoon jar" due to the shape of its body. Its original function was that of a grain storage jar. This particular example is "heavily-potted" and has a wide foot, neck and mouth compared to the size of its body. Decora...

Large Chinese Neolithic Machang Phase Painted Pottery Jar (c. 2300 - 2000 BC)

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. The decorative pattern, applied on top of the smooth burnished surface with a fired-on mineral-based pigment, features four roundels containing geometric patterns. On opposing sides just below its waist are tw...

Large Chinese Early Tang Dynasty Pottery Horse with Oxford TL Test

This impressive pottery horse was made during the early part of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a grey pottery and is quite "heavily-potted". The horse stands upright with its head and neck turned very slightly to its left.

Height 39 cm (15.5 inches). This horse is available for inspection, here at our gallery in Brighton.

This horse has been in our personal collection for over 20 years, not previous...

Fine & Rare Chinese Western Zhou Dynasty Pottery Jar

This very rare jar was made during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 - 771 BC). It is made from a hard high-fired pale pottery. It has a wide body with a slightly rounded base, quite a large neck that splays outwards and two wide loop handles joined at the shoulder and just below the rim edge. The elaborate appliqué decoration comprises two bands of multiple small circles of clay surrounding the body at its waist and shoulder, each band sep...

Description: A bronze seal of Han dynasty with inscription of Zhen-Chen was uniquely molded as a crouching bear as the knob. With beautiful blue-green verdigris and red tan underneath, this bronze piece was used by a middle ranking official ( In Han dynasty the knob figures of bronze seals were all categorized by official rankings, for example, the chimera figure was for king's only). The motif - a bear, was common seen in Han's picturesque relics but was rarely seen in bronze seal pieces. The ...

Rare Chinese Han Dynasty Burnished Pottery Bowl

This attractively-shaped bowl of rare form was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is made from a fine-grained grey pottery and has a small foot and flared rim. The surface has been burnished smooth and its colour varies from pale to dark grey, a result of uneven conditions in the kiln during firing.

Diameter 15 cm. Condition is very good; there is a small chip to the rim edge but there is no repair or restoration

*** TO O...

Very Rare Chinese Han Dynasty "Baby" Pottery Cocoon Jar

This small pottery jar was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). This type of jar is known as a "cocoon jar" due to the shape of its body. It is "heavily-potted" and decorated with eight bands of triple-incised lines vertically surrounding the body as well as raised horizontal bands around its neck. It has a smooth burnished surface.

Although many Han Dynasty "cocoon jars" of varying sizes are known, examples of this...

Chinese Song dynasty chrysanthemum form bowl with moulded radial grooves emanating from a circular center. The bowl is covered overall with an unusual glaze (possibly qingbai or celadon with significant burial adhesions) that stops well above the unglazed knife cut low foot. 4” diameter x 1 ½” high. Very good overall condition. The tiny areas at the rim where the glaze does not cover the body could be from the original production. This piece is from the collection of an American diplom...

Rare Chinese Western Zhou Dynasty Bronze Chariot Bell

This rare and interesting bronze bell was made during the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 1100 - 771 BC). It would have originally been fitted to a horse-drawn chariot, ringing constantly as the chariot went along. It still has its bronze ball inside the bell section so shaking it will make the same sound that was heard some 3,000 years ago! The surface has corroded due to long burial and there are extensive malachite deposits.

Height 13 cm ...

Description:

Rare stone bust from the Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE). Piece is in fine condition, with its original whitish coating preserved. The bust depicts a solemn image of a devoted pupil or perhaps a slave, with head dress. Facial features are well carved and very effective in communicating the mood of the piece.

Minor wear and abrasion caused by age, but these do not distract from the beauty of the piece. These are, if anything, exaggerated by the shadow in the phot...

A bronze official's seal with the Chinese characters meaning "natural" and "pure." The top of the seal has a seated rabbit with its long ears folded behind its head. The rabbit is well-formed and proportioned down to the details of the toes on its paws. Period: Western Jin Size: (Seal) 2.4 cm x 2.4 cm., Height = 2.7 cm. Condition: Very good.

Large Chinese Neolithic Machang Painted Pottery Jar (c. 2300 - 2000 BC)

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 quite "heavily-potted" and made from a pale yellowish-brown pottery, the colour of which varies in places due to uneven conditions in the Neolithic kiln. It is a well-made jar of fine form and good proportion...