This large and impressive porcelain dish was made during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. It is elaborately decorated in underglaze blue of good colour. Although it has some features of what many people refer to as "kraak" ware, it would be more correct to call this "Zhangzhou" or "Swatow" ware...
This rare and attractive porcelain bowl was made during the Wanli Reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. This type of porcelain is referred to as "Swatow" or "Zhangzhou" ware and was often exported to the South East Asian market. The decoration is quite elaborate and has been executed with green and red enamels...
This fine porcelain bowl was made during the 12th century at one of the kilns in Fujian province (most likely the Tongan kilns). The inner surface is attractively decorated with a scrolling floral pattern. It is coated in an olive-green glaze that is finely-crackled in places and that falls short of the base revealing the pale grey body.
It is a good size with a diameter of 18 cm and a height of 7.5 cm...
This large and impressive pottery jar was made around the 13th / 14th century, during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) or the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Until recent years, this type of jar was almost unknown in the west with some people initially attributing them to the Liao Dynasty (same general period but in the north of China). These jars are now known to have originated from Yunnan province in the south-west of China...
This attractive pear-shaped vase was made during the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1127 - 1279), most likely at one of the kilns in Fujian province. Interestingly it is made in several sections that have been luted together. The mid section is decorated with a scrolling floral pattern, below which is moulded leaf decoration. It is coated in a finely-crackled pale greenish-blue qingbai glaze of good colour...
This extremely rare large stone tile, or panel, dates to the Jin Dynasty (AD 1115 - 1234). The carving is of fine quality and features a phoenix standing amongst foliage within a square panel...
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...
This fine and rare pottery tile dates to the Jin Dynasty (AD 1115 - 1234). It is made from a dense fine-grained grey pottery. It features a carved figure in relief, the figure holding a staff in its right hand and, possibly, wiping away tears with the left hand...
This fine and rare painted pottery figure 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. It is believed that such figures originally had wooden ar...
This rare pottery tripod ("li") was made some 4,000 years ago. Although similar vessels were made by various Chinese Neolithic cultures, we believe this particular example to have been made by potters of the Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC). The form is of a cooking vessel and the three wide udder-shaped legs allow it to be stood in a fire with as much heat as possible being transmitted to the contents inside the vessel. Such tripods are...
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...
Dating to the 18th century, this fine dish is attractively decorated in the Imari colours, underglaze blue, red enamel and gilt. In the centre is a fenced-in tree in underglaze blue with red and gold leaves. Surrounding the central panel on top of the underglaze blue are red and gold peonies and three birds. Note also the simple yet attractive design to the underside. There are minor firing imperfections to the glaze (see photos) but not...
This impressive porcelain ewer was made during the latter part of the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) or possibly the following Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). It is quite "heavily-potted" and coated in a finely-crackled Qingbai glaze, pale green in colour. A thick handle joins the trumpet-shaped mouth to the shoulder. There is insignificant surface wear and there are old genuine gold lacquer ("kintsugi") repairs which have been perf...
This fine and attractive pottery model of a horse and equestrian was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906) and is made from a relatively high-fired creamy-white pottery. The female rider sits upright, her head turned very slightly to her left, her hands together in a demure posture; note the details of her clothing and hairstyle. The horse stands "foursquare" with its head also turned to...
This fine-quality and very rare "kraak" porcelain dish was made at the Jingdezhen kilns during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. Its form and decoration are particularly rare and no example appears in the kraak "bible", "Kraak Porcelain" by Maura Rinaldi. The lobed wall has eight moulded panels containing various floral designs. On the inside of the dish the underglaze blue pattern is restricted to th...
This tall cylindrically-shaped storage jar comes from Ningxia in north-west China and dates to the Xixia Dynasty (1038 - 1227). It is "heavily-potted" and coated in a thick glaze, the colour varying from black to brown according to its thickness. This jar must have been placed close to other vessels in the kiln during firing as there are several kiln scars to the upper body. The wide foot remains unglazed with thick glaze covering the sli...
This attractive porcelain jar, or vase, was made in the Transitional period, c. 1620 - 1660, most likely during either the Tianqi reign (1621 - 1627) or the Chongzhen reign (1628 - 1643) of the Ming Dynasty. It is fairly "heavily-potted" and made in three sections that have been luted together prior to glazing. The bold underglaze blue pattern features blossoming plants on opposite sides of the body. It is coated in a thic...
This attractive flared-rim porcelain bowl was made during the latter part of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The underglaze blue decoration around the outer wall features two phoenixes in flight with their long tails. They are surrounded by a scrolling floral pattern. Around the inner rim is a key-fret band and in the centre of the bowl is another floral pattern. To the base is the four character "Tai Ming" mar...
This rare and unusual "Swatow" (or "Zhangzhou") blue & white porcelain bowl was made during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1573 - 1620). The underglaze blue decoration around the outer wall features a dragon, a phoenix and a peony. The inner design features a leaping fish amongst waves. Within the recessed base is a simple character or mark. It is coated in a thick glaze. There is some kiln grit...
This footed round stoneware box was made during the 16th century at the Sawankhalok kilns. It is decorated with scrolling and geometric patterns in underglaze iron-brown with a clear blueish and finely-crackled glaze. The inner surface of the box is coated with same clear blueish glaze.
This is an unusually large example of its type with a diameter of 13.25 cm. It is in very condition with no repair or restoration and ju...
Perhaps the most desirable and collectable pottery sculpture from the Tang Dynasty is the female courtier, or "fat lady". This fine example was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). The figure is made from a reddish-brown pottery and is relatively highly-fired. There are minor firing fissures to the base of the figure where the pottery is thick. It has been cold-painted in a base coat of a creamy-white...
This attractively-shaped round box was made during the 15th century and has been recovered from a shipwreck. It is quite "heavily-potted" and decorated with a pattern featuring lotus leaf panels filled with floral or wave patterns. The underglaze blue has fired to a very dark blue.
The cover is fused to the box, either from its glaze during firing or from the effects of "calcified" sea deposits from it...
This small blue & white jar was made during the 15th century. It is quite "heavily-potted" and decorated in underglaze blue that features a ring of leaves around the shoulder, below which is a scrolling floral pattern. The glaze is quite thick and in places there are blisters to the glaze suggesting this occurred during firing. The flat base remains unglazed. Height 6.75 cm, diameter 7.5 cm. It is in very g...
This attractive blue & white porcelain bowl was made c. 1470 - 1490. It is quite heavily-potted and coated in a crackled glaze. It is decorated in underglaze blue with a floral pattern on the outer wall and a character inside, with various blue bands. The recessed foot is unglazed. Diameter 10 cm. No repair or restoration. Fine condition.
For information: this is from the collection of the lat...
This superb large and extremely rare stoneware bowl was made during the 13th - 15th Century. It is "heavily-potted", coated in a white slip and decorated in underglaze iron, the design very similar to a smaller Vietnamese underglazed bowl we have from this period. It is coated in quite a thick clear pale green glaze that is finely-crackled. The thick foot is slightly splayed. Note the remains of the fir...
This blue and white porcelain bowl was made in the 16th century. It is decorated in underglaze blue of good colour, the design featuring birds perched upon blossoming branches. To the base is a seal mark (not translated).
Diameter 12 cm. It is in good condition. There is minor surface wear, some "fritting" of the glaze at the rim edge and a kiln scar at the top of the outer wall. It has a good ring ...
This fine and attractive porcelain bowl was made during the 15th / early 16th century. It is decorated in underglaze blue of particularly good colour. In its centre enclosed within double blue rings is a peony, the emblem of spring and a symbol of riches, honour, love, affection and feminine beauty. A peony scroll decorates the outer wall.
A larger size than most Ming bowls of this period with a dia...
This attractively-shaped jar, or bottle, was made during the 13th - 15th centuries at the Sawankhalok kilns. It is coated in a finely-crackled translucent celadon glaze that falls short of the base revealing the stoneware body that has fired to a reddish-brown. There are bands of incised lines around the shoulder for decoration and two small loop handles. The glaze, where thin, has flaked a little from the r...
This finely-shaped stoneware bottle, with its pear-shaped body and wide flaring mouth, was made during the 13th - 15th Century at one of the Sawankhalok kilns. It is quite "heavily-potted" and coated in a very unusual glaze of a dark greenish-blue colour with a most attractive crackled effect. There are incised bands around the neck. The glaze has run and sagged toward the unglazed lower body.
Height 13...
This "hare's fur" bowl and kiln saggar were made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) and have been excavated from a kiln site in Fujian province. Presumably the temperature in the kiln during firing became too high, as the bowl is slightly misshapen and has become fused to the wall of the saggar by its glaze.
Diameter of saggar 14.5 cm, diameter of bowl 10 cm. The bowl with some "calcified" deposits ...
This rare bottle vase was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) by one of the kilns at Yuxi county in Yunnan province, one of the first places in the world where blue & white ware was produced. Similar wares were first unearthed in 1973 in Lufeng County, Yunnan Province although, surprisingly, such wares are still relatively unknown to western collectors. Indeed, a well-known London auctioneer recentl...
This rare jar was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) by one of the kilns at Yuxi county in Yunnan province, one of the first places in the world where blue & white ware was produced. Similar wares were first unearthed in 1973 in Lufeng County, Yunnan Province although, surprisingly, such wares are still relatively unknown to western collectors. It is of an unusual, yet attractive form, q...
This fine example of Qingbai porcelain was made during the Song Dynasty (AD960 - 1279). It is a conical-shaped bowl standing on a relatively high foot. The design on both the inner and outer walls has been individually carved, as opposed to moulded. The inner design features three young boys surrounded by various scrolling patterns and a spiral pattern in the centre. The outer wall has a s...
This very rare and attractive small covered jar was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) by one of the kilns at Yuxi county in Yunnan province, one of the first places in the world where blue & white ware was produced. Similar wares were first unearthed in 1973 in Lufeng County, Yunnan Province although, surprisingly, such wares are still relatively unknown to western collectors. The underg...
This impressive porcelain box was made during the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368) or possibly a little earlier, toward the end of the preceding Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). It is made from a very translucent porcelain with fluted sides and an attractive moulded floral pattern on the cover featuring lotus blossoms. It is coated in a delicate translucent Qingbai glaze with just a hint of blue that is crac...
This very rare small jar was made in the 14th Century during the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368). Although it is clearly from the Jizhou kilns of Northern China it is painted on a porcelain body under a qingbai type of glaze. Usually Jizhou wares are on a stoneware body. The only reference we can find of this type is in "Qingbai Wares. Chinese Porcelains of the Song & Yuan Dynasties published by th...
This beautifully lobed dish was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) and has the simple stylishness typical of Song Qingbai porcelains. There are some glaze crackles which occurred during the firing, one of which, in the centre, penetrates through to the foot (please note that this not damage). The glaze is of a delicate pale green and has a silky "frosted" feel to it.
Diameter 15 cm (6 inches). Th...
This dish, or shallow bowl, was made during the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1127 – 1279). It has a moulded decoration featuring, in its centre, two fish swimming amongst waves. The two fish are an emblem of harmony and a happy marriage. The bowl is coated in a greenish Qingbai type of glaze. The rim remains unglazed, allowing the bowl to be placed in a firing ring in the kiln as part of a stack of similar bowls. ...
This unusual porcelain bowl was made during the 12th - 13th century. The inner surface is moulded into six panels. It is coated in a very finely-crackled qingbai glaze that is pale green with just a hint of blue. The rim remains unglazed as does the flat base.
Diameter 15.75 cm. It is in very good condition with just the tiniest of chips to the upper rim edge and no repair or restoration.
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This bowl was made in the 12th Century during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), a product of one of the kilns in Fujian province, probably the Tongan or Anqi kilns. It is fairly "heavily-potted" and coated in a yellowish-green qingbai type of glaze, save for the foot that remains unglazed showing the pale porcelaneous body. The inner surface is decorated with incised floral patterns with small pieces of kiln grit embedded within...
This pottery model of a horse with its groom was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). Both items are made from a fairly high-fired grey pottery and have been "cold painted" in white, pink, black and red pigments. The horse stands upright with the groom standing with his left hand out as though holding the reins of the horse; both of the groom's hands have purpose-made holes in them as does the mouth of the hors...
This fine and attractive pottery model of a horse was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a base coat of creamy-white pigment with details picked out in red pigment. The horse stands upright with its head turned to its right.
Height 27 cm, length 30 cm. It is in exceptional condition; any possible repair having been performed to a high sta...
This interesting pottery model of a groom was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a fairly high-fired grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in dark brown, white, red and pink pigments. The figure wears a long garment and a head covering. He stands with both arms outstretched as if in the act of holding the reigns of a horse (see our last image for an illustration of this).
Height 25.5 cm. I...
This fine and rare pottery model of a horse & 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.
It has been made from a fine-grained grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a c...
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 ...
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 ...