Catalog (450)

This attractive small covered jar was made during the 13th / 14th Century (Song / Yuan Dynasty). This jar is a little more "heavily-potted" that other similar examples. It is coated inside and out in a pale greenish Qingbai glaze. The cover has a carved pattern to give it the appearance of a tiled roof; this jar represents a granary. Part of the edge of the cover has escaped the glaze and the unglazed part has fired to a reddi...

This stoneware bowl was made at the Sawankhalok kilns around the 14th - 15th century. It is quite "heavily-potted" and coated in a finely-crackled translucent olive-green celadon glaze. The inner surface has been elaborately decorated with incised parallel bands and vertical lines, with surface decoration also to the flared rim.. The base remains unglazed revealing the pale grey stoneware body.

Quite a large bowl with a diameter o...

This stoneware bowl was made at the Sawankhalok kilns around the 14th - 15th century. It is quite "heavily-potted" and coated in a finely-crackled translucent celadon glaze. The inner surface has been decorated with incised parallel bands and vertical lines. The unglazed lower part of the underside has fired to a reddish-brown.

Quite a large bowl with a diameter of 19.75 cm. It is in overall good condition with no restoration o...

A pottery model of a hinged chest made during the 16th century (c.1550 - 1600). Made from a hard creamy-white pottery and coated in green and golden-yellow glazes that have, in places, acquired a silvery iridescence, a result of very long exposure to moisture.

Length 14 cm, height 11 cm. "Calcified" burial deposits in places and a couple of small chips at the corners. No sign of restoration or repair.

One of a collection of M...

This attractively-shaped pottery jar was made around 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC), from what is now eastern Gansu province, China. It is made from a pale buff-coloured pottery that is fairly highly-fired. There are two "strap" handles joined at the waist and mouth edge. The surface has been burnished making it smooth to the touch. The pottery at the constricted neck...

This pottery jar of "hu" form was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and comes from Shaanxi province in the northwest of China. It is made from a reddish pottery and has simple incised decorative bands surrounding the jar at its shoulder. The whole surface, including the base and inner mouth, is coated in a thin yellowish-brown glaze. The flat base has marks where the jar was removed from the potter's wheel wit...

This fine pottery jar was made around 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC), from what is now eastern Gansu province, China. They produced a variety of pottery vessels including cord-impressed pottery of many shapes and sizes as well as finely-burnished jars such as this, with one, two or three handles. It is relatively highly-fired, having a distinct ring to it when tapped....

This jar was made some 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC), from what is now eastern Gansu province. They produced a variety of pottery vessels including cord-impressed pottery of many shapes and sizes. This particular example is made from a coarse gritty clay and has a wide flaring mouth. Below the neck the surface of the body is decorated with cord impressions that were repeatedly pressed ...

This moulded and "heavily-potted" pottery tile was made during the Jin Dynasty (AD 1115 - 1234) and has been excavated from Shanxi province in the northern region of China. Theatre, opera and music was immensely popular during the Jin Dynasty and in recent years various pottery tiles have been excavated depicting a whole range of musicians and characters from various musical and artistic performances. 

This particular tile de...

This very rare pottery model of a stove was made during the early Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386 - 534). It is "heavily-potted" and made from a reddish pottery that is highly-fired and coated with a dark amber glaze that has been applied unevenly and has degraded in places. To the top of the stove are various items of kitchen ware, although they are indistinct as the moulding is not very crisp and the glaze is quite thick i...

Unlike other Asian cultures of the 17th and 18th centuries, the Chinese did not sit on the floor. The simple fact that the Manchu invaders imported highly flexible furniture from their yurts influenced the development of Chinese design and decorative arts. Within a few years of the Manchu invasion, Chinese craftsmen combined their highly refined design aesthetic with extraordinary exotic woods, veneers, and lacquer to create s...

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 lotus blossom pattern, below which is a repeating lotus leaf pattern. It is coated in a finely-crackled pale greenish-blue qingbai glaze of good colour, the colour at i...

This attractively-shaped pottery jar was made around 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC), from what is now eastern Gansu province, China. It is very thinly-potted and quite highly-fired, having an almost "metallic" ring to it when tapped. There are two "strap" handles joined at the waist and mouth edge. Much of the upper surface is coated with a thin layer of "calcified" s...

This sturdy storage jar dates to the 12th - 14th centuries. It is quite "heavily-potted" and has a rolled rim with four loo-handles speared equidistant around the shoulder. The streaky yellowish-brown glaze falls short of the unglazed base. Most likely it was made for export to south-east Asia.

Height 15.5 cm. There is an old crack to the mouth that has been stabilised; otherwise it is in good condition.

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This saucer-dish was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). Its inner surface and outer wall are coated in a very finely-crackled pale qingbai glaze that has just a hint of green. The inner surface is decorated with what appears to be an impressed floral decoration although the impression is quite faint. The rim remains purposely unglazed as does the flat concave base. Interestingly around the outer wall can be seen...

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 fairly high-fired pale grey pottery. Decoration is fairly simple with strips of clay applied to the upper body to form four lotus leaf panels. Between the top of each leaf are incised lines and small circles.

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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 interesting and attractive pottery tile was made during the Jin Dynasty (AD 1115 - 1234) and most likely comes from Shanxi province. The tile is made from quite a high-fired grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments. This tile depicts a scene from one of the twenty-four paragons of filial piety. Filial piety was, and still is, an important part of Chinese culture. We believe his tile depi...

This jar was made some 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC), in the north of China, what is now eastern Gansu province. They produced a variety of pottery vessels including cord-impressed pottery of many shapes and sizes. This particular example is made from a coarse gritty clay and has a wide flaring mouth. The surface colour varies and in places are what appear to be carbon deposits suggest...

This very rare and unusual pottery jar was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a grey pottery and has been formed in a two-piece mould, each half having been luted together at the sides. The cover is in the form of a bird and, likewise, has also been made in a two-piece mould. The body of the jar has two moulded ring handles. Both jar and cover have been "cold painted" in a "swirling" pattern compri...

This attractive small covered jar was made during the 13th / 14th Century (Song / Yuan Dynasty). It is coated inside and out in a pale greenish Qingbai glaze that is finely crackled in places. The dome-shaped cover has a carved pattern to give it the appearance of a tiled roof; this jar represents a granary. To the inner surface are the remains of ancient plant/root growths from its long burial.

Height 8.5 cm. There is a ...

This attractive small covered jar was made during the 13th / 14th Century (Song / Yuan Dynasty). It is coated inside and out in a pale green Qingbai glaze that is very finely-crackled. The colour of the glaze varies a little, especially to the cover where it is a little darker. This jar has an unusually sturdy foot for its type. The cover has a carved pattern to give it the appearance of a tiled roof; this jar represents a gra...

This attractive small covered jar was made during the 13th / 14th Century (Song / Yuan Dynasty). It is coated inside and out in a pale Qingbai type of glaze that is very finely-crackled. The colour of the glaze varies a little, appearing slightly paler to the cover and inner surface of the jar. The cover has a carved pattern to give it the appearance of a tiled roof; this jar represents a granary.

Height 9 cm. It is in g...

This stoneware jar was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from a sandy coloured stoneware. The inner and upper outer surfaces have been coated in a chocolate-brown glaze. Around the shoulder on opposing sides are two loop handles. Although not immediately obvious, this jar has, at some time in its history, been horizontally broken in two and expertly re-joined around the lower body (see images, bearin...

Archaic Chinese Bronzes by Christian Deydier

This superbly produced book covers the first known Chinese bronzes through to and including those produced by the Shang Dynasty. It is very well researched and packed full of interesting background information as well as being extensively illustrated. Included are the relatively recent excavations from the Sichuan Culture site at Sanxingdui. An invaluable book for those interested not only in anc...

This rare pottery jar was made around 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC), from what is now eastern Gansu province, China. They produced a variety of pottery vessels including cord-impressed pottery of many shapes and sizes as well as higher-fired jars such as this. This is quite an unusual shape with its wide body and two small loop handles on opposing sides of its ...

This pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It represents a male figure wearing a hooded cloak. It is "heavily-potted" and has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments, traces of which still remain. Height 19.5 cm. Very faint signs of possible repair at the waist.

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This saucer-dish was made in the 13th - 14th century during the Yuan (AD 1279 - 1368) or early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It is "heavily-potted" and coated in a thick lightly-crackled celadon glaze save for the foot that has fired to a deep reddish-brown. The glaze has a very pleasant "silky-smooth" feel to it. This high-fired type of ware is variously described as stoneware or porcelain and it certainly has quite a high-pitched sound when tap...

This pottery jar of "hu" form was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) and comes from Shaanxi province in the northwest of China. It is made from a relatively highly-fired reddish pottery and has simple incised decorative bands surrounding the jar at its shoulder. The whole surface, including the base and inner mouth, is coated in an attractive amber-coloured glaze that is very finely-crackled. The flat base has mark...

This is one of a group of moulded pottery tablets that we bought about twenty years ago. They are made from a relatively high-fired pottery and have a surprising amount of detail. They were made as amulets and votive offerings and were reported to have been excavated from the foundations of an ancient Buddhist temple, where originally many would have been placed to ensure the success of the temple. We find it quite difficult to date thes...

A pottery model of a folding wooden chair made during the 16th century (c.1500 - 1600). Made from a hard creamy-white pottery and coated in green and greenish-yellow glazes that have, in places, acquired a silvery iridescence, a result of very long exposure to moisture. There are also traces of red pigment in places.

Height 15 cm. No restoration or repair. Fine condition.

The final image shows a similar chair that is being sold...

Many years ago we bought a small group of jars of this type. We were told they dated to the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) and had been in storage, having several years earlier been recovered from a shipwreck off Thailand. To the base of each jar is written an inventory number (we were told around 200 of these jars were excavated but how accurate this is, we do not know). Around the neck of each jar is a cardboard label (with a rusting metal...

Many years ago we bought a small group of jars of this type. We were told they dated to the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) and had been in storage, having several years earlier been recovered from a shipwreck off Thailand. To the base of each jar is written an inventory number (we were told around 200 of these jars were excavated but how accurate this is, we do not know). Around the neck of each jar is a cardboard label (with a rusting metal...

This iron axe head or chisel dates to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). Surviving iron objects of this age are very rare. This example does of course have rust and corrosion, and a small chip to the edge of the open end. It is free from restoration or repair. Length 15.5 cm (6 inches).  Please note that this object has not been treated in any way and should be handled carefully.

This is one of two almost ide...

This iron axe head or chisel dates to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). Surviving iron objects of this age are very rare. This example does of course have rust and corrosion, there is a small part missing at the open end together with some cracks, but it is free from restoration or repair. Length 15.5 cm (6 inches). Please note that this object has not been treated in any way and should be handled carefully - a s...

This unusual object, a pottery model of a bucket, was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Black, or dark grey, pottery objects dating to the Yuan Dynasty are not widely known. They are found in the northern provinces, particularly Gansu province in the north-west.

This item is quite heavily-potted and fairly highly-fired with a smooth burnished surface. Adhering to the inner surface are the remains of ancient root/plant growths f...