(Likely inspired by Frank Green's lyrics, Agatha Christie, in 1939, composed her very well-known "Ten Little Niggers" story, with the title for the 1940 US edition changed to "And Then There Were None", the final lin...

This rare blue & white porcelain jar of hexagonal form was made during the 16th Century. It is quite "heavily-potted" and attractively decorated in underglaze blue of good colour. Each of the six sides features a chrysanthemum blossom (the emblem of friendship and representing a life of ease). Around the shoulder is what is possibly a cloud collar (representing long life). As can be seen, on the edges of the sides there is "frit...

This fine "kraak" porcelain dish was made in the late 16th century, during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty, or possibly slightly later. The dish has a moulded lobed cavetto and is decorated in underglaze blue of good colour. The rare and unusual pattern features a singing bird sitting in a blossoming tree (no such dish with this pattern appears in the "bible" of kraak porcelain, "Kraak Porcelain" by Maura Ri...

This attractive small round porcelain box of rare and unusual form was made during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. The underglaze blue decoration is of a particularly good colour. The decoration to the conical cover comprises two chilong dragons. The lower section is decoration with a floral pattern.

Diameter 5.5 cm. It is in fine condition with no repair or restoration, altho...

This attractive small porcelain jar, a brush washer, was made during the late 15th to early 16th century. It is relatively heavily-potted and decorated in underglaze blue of very good colour with a pattern featuring scrolling lotus blossoms. Both inner and outer surfaces are coated in a thick glaze. The foot and recessed flat base remain unglazed.

Diameter 6.75 cm. A fine example in fine condition. No repair or restoration. ...

This attractive small porcelain jar, a brush washer, was made during the Hongzhi reign (1488 - 1505) of the Ming Dynasty. It is relatively heavily-potted and decorated in underglaze blue of good colour in a pattern featuring scrolling lotus blossoms. Both inner and outer surfaces are coated in a finely-crackled glaze. The foot and recessed flat base remain unglazed.

Diameter 6.75 cm. It is in very good condi...

This attractive porcelain dish was made during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. This particular type of ware is referred to as "Zhangzhou" or "Swatow" ware and it was commonly exported around south-east Asia. The underglaze blue decoration is of very good colour. The pattern features a chilong (qilong) dragon in a landscape with three further dragons around the cavetto interspersed with p...

This attractively-shaped porcelain jar was made during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. Both jar and cover are decorated in underglaze blue with scrolling floral and lotus patterns, and coated in a silky smooth glaze. The inner surface of the jar is also glazed whereas the underside of the cover and the recessed flat base of the jar remain unglazed revealing the pale porcelain body.

Diameter 11 cm, height 11 cm. C...

This attractive and very interesting blue and white porcelain bowl was made in the 16th century. It is decorated in underglaze blue of very good colour. The centre is decorated with a male figure standing next to a deer. The decoration to the outer wall is quite elaborate and includes a varied landscape, two male figures and one female figure. To the base is a mark (not translated).

Diameter 12 cm. There is no repair or restoration...

Arguably the most desirable and collectable pottery sculpture from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 – 906) is the female courtier, or "fat lady". This figure is a large and particularly elegant example.

The lady stands upright with her hands clasped together under her voluminous robe. Note also the elaborate hairstyle but most striking are the fine details to her face: simply exquisite! It is made from a buff-col...

This oversized vessel, in the form of a "cocoon jar", was made during the Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC) or possibly a little earlier during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC), but even then by the Qin state. It is made from a fairly high-fired fine-grained grey pottery. The whole of the outer surface of the body is decorated with repeated cord or woven impressions with vertical bands then being made aro...

This attractive moulded porcelain bowl with an iron-brown edged foliate rim was made during the 18th century. The underglaze blue decoration of very good colour features three human figures in a garden. Around the outer wall is an elaborate scrolling design.

Diameter 13 cm. It is in fine condition with no repair or restoration and a good ring when tapped.

For information: This bowl was sold to a local collector by o...

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 surface colour of the pottery varies in places, a result of uneven conditions during firing. It has a short neck with flared mouth, and two sturdy loop handles on opposing sides at the waist. The outside of the jar a...