This fine example of a painted pottery ding was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is a large example of its type, made from a fine-grained grey pottery and relatively highly-fired, having a distinct ring when tapped. The lower part stands on three long curved legs and has two curved square-cup handles on opposing sides. The upper part is adorned with three moulded appliqués (horses with ...
This fine, impressive and very rare pair of pottery vases was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) or possibly a little earlier. They are of a particularly pleasing and elegant form, the wide bodies rising up from the flat bases, then constricting into long slender necks and finally opening up into fairly wide mouths. They are quite "heavily-potted" and made from a dense fine-grained dark grey pottery, the surface o...
This wonderfully-shaped pottery vessel, usually referred to as a "cocoon" jar was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). The shape, named after its similarity to the silkworm cocoon, evolved during the late Warring States period (475 - 221 BC) and then generally died out by the middle of the Western Han Dynasty. Cocoon jars were used for the storage of grain.
It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey ...
These fine pair of pottery figures, one male, one female, was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). They are made from quite a high-fired creamy-coloured pottery. They are very finely modelled: note the detail of the clothing, hairstyle and facial features. The figures stand side by side, upright, in respectful poses each with their hands held together across their stomachs. Traces of the original various di...
This domestic bronze cooking vessel was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) or possibly earlier. It has two handles on opposing sides of the shoulder. It is quite "heavily-cast" and the casting lines are quite pronounced, especially across the flat base. There is some corrosion, mostly to the base where it comprises mostly malachite (green) and azurite (blue). There are also black carbon deposits on the surface in places,...
This tall pottery set comprising stand, jar and cover was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). Each part is made from a relatively high-fired grey pottery and "cold painted" in orange and white pigments, the decoration comprising geometric and floral (lotus) patterns. The stand has cut-out apertures and petals to represent a lotus flower. The cover has purpose-made holes in its upper part; it is painted with lotus lea...
This rare pottery vessel was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). It is made from a relatively high-fired pottery that has been coated in two different colour glazes. The upper and lower body are coated in a dark greenish-brown glaze that is finely-crackled, the colour of which varies in places. Around the waist is a band of a more traditional Han green glaze that is particularly thin and that has degraded...
This large and impressive pottery jar was made by peoples of the Caiyuan Culture (c. 2600 - 2200 BC) and has been excavated from the Ningxia Autonomous Region in the north of China. It is quite "heavily-potted" and has been fired to a very pleasing pale yellowish-brown with the surface colour becoming more red in places. The upper surface has been burnished and is very smooth to the touch. The lower surface has been simply yet ...
This interesting pottery jar was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) and has been been excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province. It is made from a pale grey pottery. Decoration is fairly simple with strips of clay applied to the upper body to form five lotus leaf panels.
Height 24.75 cm (9.75 inches). Although it has not been properly cleaned since exc...
This attractive porcelain dish, or shallow bowl, was made during the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1127 - 1279). It is coated in a finely-crackled pale greenish translucent qingbai glaze, save for the rim and flat base that remain intentionally unglazed. To the small flat base is a Chinese character in fired-on black pigment that most likely represents a name.
The upper surface is decor...
This very rare pottery model of a bird, either a duck or a goose, was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is "heavily-potted" and made from quite a high-fired grey pottery. The duck stands with its neck and wings stretched, as if in the act of preparing to fly. Note the detail, especially to the wings, with the tiger heads. The style and decoration suggest this model was based on a bronze example. On the...
This unusual blue & white porcelain bowl was made during the mid to late 16th century c.1560-1580. The outer surface remains undecorated whereas the inner surface is particularly elaborately decorated. In the centre is a standing bird, most likely a crane (a symbol of longevity), together with various plants and blossoms. The surrounding wall is decorated with a pattern featuring lotus leaf panels and tassels.
This is...
This rare and attractively-shaped pottery jar of semi-spherical form was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC) or possible earlier (Eastern Zhou period 770 - 221 BC). It is made from a relatively highly-fired fine grey pottery. The lower body has been decorated with repeated cord impressions that are particularly crisp. Interestingly, there is a network of ancient root/plants growths to much of the inner s...