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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. The glaze is at its thickest to the upper surface. On the underside the glaze is thinner and has degraded in places leaving a matt surface. To the centre are five "spur marks". The base remains unglazed...

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...

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. The outer surface, as well as the inner mouth, is coated in a finely-crackled pale green ...

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. The outer surface and inner mouth are coated in a finely...

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. The glaze falls short of the flat base revealing the pale pink...

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. 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 black & red pigments.

Height 31 cm (12...

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). ...

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. This force created a crack wh...

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. Here is a delicate vessel with elegant curves decorated with poppies dating from the early 20th century enclosed in an age darkened wooden box titled : Kyoto Tojiki Shikensho-sei (Made by the Kyoto Ceramics Research Facility) Keshi Moyo Kabin (Poppy ...

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. We do not know if this item was a tool that was regularly used or if it were perhaps placed in the ...