Fine Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Ding Tripod with Twin Fish Pattern

This fine example of a ding tripod was made during the middle of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) from a fairly high-fired pale reddish-brown pottery. The green colour of the glaze varies according to its thickness, the thicker the glaze the deeper the colour. In places the glaze has acquired a silvery and golden iridescence, a result of exposure to moisture during its very long burial...

Rare Large Chinese Han Dynasty Incised & Painted Pottery Dish

This dish was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a fine-grained grey pottery, quite "heavily-potted" and relatively highly-fired, having a distinct ring when tapped. Its flat base is fairly small compared to its overall diameter. The lower body is of a shallow cone shape with a flat wall and rim above...

Descriptions:
A Song Duan Inkstone was well preserved from excavation.

Date :Song Dynasty, 12th century.

Length :14cm, Wider Width:8cm.

Rare Chinese Cast Iron Feng Shui Disc - Ming Dynasty or earlier

This very rare item dates to the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) or possibly as early as the Song or Yuan dynasty. It is a cast iron feng shui, or geomancy, disc. On the upper surface there are Chinese characters and the eight trigrams of the I Ching within circular bands. In the centre are raised dots, presumably relating to geomancy...

No discussion on 20th century Kyoto ceramics can skip over the importance of the Kyoto Shi Tojiki Shiken-sho ceramics research facility at which all the luminaries studied and laid the foundation for a number of the early Living National Treasures...

Gold glimmers on the rim against pale concrete tones on this rare mid-Edo period tea bowl from the Utsutsugawa kiln in Nagasaki prefecture, late 17th to early 18th century. Waves of brush strokes decorate the outside, while the white slip cascades from the rim in withering streaks within. A kutsuki on the side testifies to some event which happened during the firing, where another piece of pottery collapsed against the side, fusing and causing the bowl to deform...

Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Zodiac Figure - Horse

This pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It takes a human form, other than the head which is of the zodiac animal represented, in this case the horse The figure stands upright with hands clasped together against its chest under a flowing robe. It is made from a reddish pottery that has been cold-painted in a base coat of white on top of which are traces of red pigment.

Height 29 cm (11.5 inches)...

Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Zodiac Figure - Rabbit

This pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It takes a human form, other than the head which is of the zodiac animal represented, in this case the rabbit. The figure stands upright with hands clasped together against its chest under a flowing robe...

Very Rare Chinese Liao Dynasty Glazed Pottery Ewer with Oxford TL Test

This very rare and unusual (possibly unique?) ewer was made during the Liao Dynasty (AD 907 - 1125). The body is decorated with moulded leaf and floral designs, and coated in an attractive amber glaze. The mouth opening has been formed into the shape of an opening leaf or blossom and is glazed in green. To the shoulder, opposite the handle, is the short spout...

Rare Large Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Qingbai Porcelain Bottle / Vase - Lotus Flowers

This porcelain vase was made during the 13th - 14th century, during the latter part of the Song Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368), or possibly the following Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). It is unusually large for its type and its moulded decoration is very interesting: between bands of geometric patterns, are four lotus flowers in various stages of blooming...

Rare Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Qingbai Porcelain Bottle / Vase

This porcelain vase was made during the 13th - 14th century, during the latter part of the Song Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368), or possibly the following Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Its moulded decoration is most unusual with two bands of raised studs surrounding the body at its waist. Around the shoulder is a more conventional floral scroll...

Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Qingbai Porcelain Jar / Rice Measure

This small jar was made during the 13th - 14th century, during the latter part of the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), or possibly the following Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Its form is often referred to as a "rice measure". It has moulded decoration around the shoulder and is coated in a finely-crackled blueish-green qingbai glaze save for the rim and base that remain unglazed.

Diameter 8.5 cm, height 6 cm...

Thai 14th - 15th Century Underglazed Sukhothai Bowl

This stoneware bowl was made at the Sukhothai kilns during the 14th - 15th century. The striking floral / geometric pattern is in underglaze iron-brown on top of a white slip. The honey-coloured clear glaze is finely-crackled...

Thai 14th - 15th Century Sawankhalok Celadon Tall Bowl / Jar

This stoneware bowl was made at the Sawankhalok kilns around the 14th - 15th century. It is "heavily-potted" and coated in an attractive and finely-crackled glossy celadon glaze that has just a hint of blue in places. Decoration is minimal with none to the inner surface and simple incised bands to the outer surface just below the rim and above the foot. To the unglazed base is the round mark of the pontil on which this bowl stood w...

Fine Vietnamese 14th / 15th Century Monochrome Bowl

This simple yet attractively-shaped bowl was made during the 14th - 15th century. It is coated in a translucent and finely-crackled honey-coloured glaze that has just the faintest hint of green in places. To the inner surface are five spur marks from manufacture. As is often seen on Vietnamese blue & white wares of this period, within the recessed base is a chocolate-brown wash. The foot edge remains unglazed revealing the pale grey porcela...

Chinese Song Dynasty Longquan Celadon Porcelain Dish

This porcelain dish was made during the 12th - 13th Century at the celebrated Longquan kilns in Zhejiang province. The cavetto is decorated with a carved pattern and it is coated in a celadon glaze save for the foot edge where the pale grey porcelain body is exposed. The dish is a little warped with part of a kiln spacer, or possibly the edge of another dish, fused into the glaze within the base; in our opinion, all adding to the appeal of...

Large Chinese Tang Dynasty Glazed Stoneware Jar

This attractively-shaped stoneware jar was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a very pale, almost white, stoneware and quite "heavily-potted". The upper body and inside mouth have been coated in a very finely-crackled translucent pale greenish-yellow glaze, the colour of which varies a little in places according to the glaze's thickness.

A good size with a height of 29 cm. Overall condition is very good. There i...

Rare Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Pottery Milling Shed

This rare and very interesting pottery model of a milling shed was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). The building has a doorway at the back and a gabled roof. Inside is the rice pounder and mill. It is made from a fairly high-fired red pottery. The thin pale green glaze that, due to long burial, has degraded over time and acquired a silvery iridescence, coats the roof and outer walls, whereas inside is it just the pounder...

Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Burnished Black Pottery Bowl

We have recently been lucky enough to have acquired a collection of very rare examples of burnished black pottery items made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Such items are relatively unknown and very little has been published about them. They are found in the northern provinces, particularly Gansu province in the north-west.

This bowl is fairly thinly-potted and has a flared rim and quite a sturdy foot. Diameter 12.25 cm. ...

A very unusual Toyoraku Usubata vase covered outside in black lacquer decorated with geometric gold maki-e designs, the inside nearly swamped by organic green flowing to the center. It comes enclosed in the original somewhat dilapidated wooden box signed: The 75 year old man Toyosuke. This appears to be the signature of the third generation, and so would date from 1854, only a few years prior to the death of the fourth generation who began the technique of lacquering pots. It is 25.5 cm (10 ...

Fabulous carved florals rise in vibrant color off the surface of this yellow glazed vase by Kato Keizan II enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 31 cm (12-1/2 inches) tall, 24 cm (9-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Kato Keizan I (1886-1963) was born in Tajimi city, Gifu, a pottery center in its own right, however came to Kyoto to apprentice under Kiyomizu Rokubei IV. He established himself in the same neighborhood in Kyoto, where he became well known for cela...

Japanese Taisho to early Showa period Satsuma earthenware charger finely decorated in polychrome enamel and gilt with a single large foliate form cartouche set against a black background that extends to cover the back walls. The cartouche features a landscape scene with temples set among high mountain peaks. A bridge over water holds a single figure. The decoration is set against a cream colored finely crackled glaze background. Koshida workshop mark to the base. Potted with three small holes in...

A fabulous baluster form vase by the first generation Kato Keizan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gaoji Ryumimi Chokoku Kabin(Ivory Porcelain Dragon Ear Carved Vase). Low on the flaring neck two dragons form handles, and the body of the vessel as carved with archaic symbols reflecting continental taste popular from the Meiji through Taisho to early Showa period. It is 33 cm (13 inches) tall 19.5 cm (7-3/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition. Attached to the base is a ...

Fine Chinese Song Dynasty Qingbai Porcelain Bowl with Peony Pattern

This fine and delicate bowl was made during the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1127 - 1279). Its body is particularly thin and translucent. The outer wall is decorated with an incised peony pattern. Both inner and outer surfaces are coated in a finely-crackled pale greenish-blue qingbai glaze. The rim remains unglazed, showing that this bowl was fired upside-down and placed in a firing ring (as opposed to a saggar as were qingbai...

A very unusual set of three scrolls depicting the women of Shimabara looking down with trepidation at a Fumi-e (a Christian symbol) before lotus enclosed in a wooden box titled Shizan Shimabara-me Sanpuku Tsui (Shizan, Women of Shimabara Three Scroll Set). The Fumi-e was a bronze or wood placard embellished with a Christian symbol upon which people were forced to step to prove that they were not Christians during the ban on Christianity throughout most of the Edo period. Any who refused to ste...

Two austere Bodhisattva play music and spread lotus petals before the benign countenance of Kannon while a fierce green God (god of thunder or wind) recoils, flame spouting from his mouth. This is a very unusual triptych enclosed in the original age darkened compartmentalized kiri wood box signed Urata Tenka titled Daiji Kannon no Zu (Image of the most merciful Kannon), Takahashi Koko Sho (Painted by Takahashi Koko). Urata Tenka was the first art-name (go) used by famed Meiji artist Takahashi...

The benign figure of Monju Bosatsu bearing the sword of knowledge and a sutra astride a fierce Shishi lion exquisitely painted by Takagi Shunrin in 1920. The compassionate being appears in royal regalia and white robes seated on a lotus shaped saddle upon the fierce creatures back. Pigment on silk in the original silk mounting with large ivory rollers enclosed in the original signed wooden box dated Spring of Taisho 9 (1920). The Rollers will be changed if exporting. It is quite large at 87 x ...

Chinese 17th Century Dehua / Blanc de Chine Porcelain Lion-Mask Censer

This censer was made in the 17th century (c. 1650 - 1700) at the famous Dehua kilns in Fujian province. It is "heavily-potted", the outer surface and inner mouth coated in an ivory-coloured glaze. The inner surface and base remain unglazed.

Diameter 15 cm. There are a couple of firing fissures to the thickly-cut foot, no doubt caused during firing due to the thickness of the clay. There is a small filled chip to the r...

Chinese Song Dynasty Incised Celadon Porcelain Bowl

This porcelain bowl was made in the 12th - 13th Century during the latter part of the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). It is fairly "heavily-potted" and coated in a transparent pale celadon glaze, save for the foot that remains unglazed. The inner surface is decorated with incised floral patterns. It is most likely a product of the Anqi kilns in Fujian Province.

Diameter 17.25 cm. There are minor chips to the rim edge and a crack to the w...

Fine Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier

This fine and impressive pottery model of a warrior was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a dense grey pottery and is particularly "heavily-potted". It has been "cold painted" in a variety of coloured pigments. Most known Han soldiers are painted in only red, black & white pigments; this figure is exceptional with traces of green and blue pigments also. The figure stands aler...

Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier (206 BC - AD 8)

This impressive pottery model of a warrior was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a dense grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a variety of coloured pigments. Most known Han soldiers are painted in only red, black & white pigments; this figure is exceptional with traces of green and blue pigments also. The figure stands alert and originally would have held ...

A figural painted wooden gun powder flask in the form of a Makara with a maiden holding a pot, protruding from its mouth. Missing stopper. Condition: lost stopper, paint with some wear. Dimension: c. 19 x 17 cm.

A large and rare mid Edo period Tamba Funa-dokkuri Ship Bottle made with flaring mouth and wide flat bottom for use on Ships. Down the side is inscribed the date Kyoho Gannen (First year of Kyoho, 1716). The Akadobe clay is covered in rich green glaze cascading in rivulets all about, with a few scattered windows of raw clay exposed. The base is slightly concave, impressed with a fern leaf. The Funa (ship) tokkuri shape was originally made for the use on ships, the side bottom keeping it fro...

A serving tray made of Kozai (Jap. old material) from Todaiji Temple in Nara branded with the marks of the 7 great temples of Nara and enclosed in the original wooden storage box dated 1925. It is turned from keyaki, a hardwood in the elm family famed for durability and beautiful wood grain. On the bottom of the tray is a seal which reads Daibutsuden Kozai (Old Material from the great Hall). The tray is 33 cm (13 inches) diameter and in excellent condition. In order to fund temple repairs, oft...

Chinese Song Dynasty Qingbai Porcelain Bowl (damaged)

This fine-quality porcelain bowl was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). It is of an attractive cone shape standing on a relatively high foot; the body is thin and particularly translucent. The inner surface has been decorated with incised floral patterns. It is coated in a blue qingbai glaze of good colour.

Diameter 13.5cm. Despite being chipped at the rim and with hairline cracks, it does have a ring when tapped.

*** ...

Large Thai 14th - 15th Century Sawankhalok Celadon Bowl

This stoneware bowl was made at the Sawankhalok kilns around the 14th - 15th century. It is coated in an attractive and finely-crackled translucent celadon glaze that has just a hint of blue to it. It has become slightly warped during firing and the glaze has pooled to one side in its centre. To the unglazed base is the round mark of the pontil on which this bowl stood whilst in the kiln during firing. Under the glaze, the inner surface...