Catalog (429)

This attractively-shaped pottery jar, or cup, 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 fine-grained grey 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. This form is typical of sma...

This fine-quality pair of highly decorative pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). They are made from a grey pottery and the decoration in relief features a pair of deer in a landscape. Note the detail to the deer, the carved and incised decoration as well as the impressed flower blossoms to the deers' bodies. The relief decoration has been cold-painted in various coloured pigments, good traces o...

This very attractive pottery model of a horse was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in a reddish-brown pigment with black and white pigments to highlight the head, mane and tail. This horse is well-modelled and stands straight, alert, looking ahead.

Height 21 cm (8.25 inches). A fine example in very good condition with minimal repair.

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This rare and unusual 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. It is made from a gritty reddish pottery. The outer surface has the impressions made by the shaping tool and there are horizontal notched strips of clay applied to the lower body. What makes this jar so rare and unusual, however, are the four loop handles and the...

This large pottery model of an ox, or bull, was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is made from a relatively high-fired grey pottery which has made it much more durable than lower-fired examples.

Length 36 cm (14 inches), height 21 cm (8.25 inches). It is in outstanding condition; although one horn appears to have been broken and re-stuck, there is no obvious sign of any other restoration or repa...

This rare pottery dish, or shallow bowl, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). Most known Han Dynasty pottery objects tend to be jars or figures with dishes and bowls being quite rare. This is quite a large dish with a diameter of 25 cm. It is made from a dark grey pottery that is relatively highly-fired. The inner surface has been painted with a pattern featuring three fish surrounded by simple bands and ge...

This large and impressive pottery jar of exceptional form was made during the Five Dynasties period (AD 907 - 960) or possible the early part of the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). It is a wide-bodied jar with sturdy handles and quite a small flat base, an unusual form for this period. Its form is reminiscent of some Han Dynasty pottery jars of around a thousand years earlier, although this jar is much more "...

Although many different Han Dynasty granary jars are known, this example is quite rare. It was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) from a relatively high-fired red pottery, quite "heavily-potted", that has been glazed in two different colours. Mostly it is coated in an attractive amber coloured glaze. The upper band of a different colour was originally coated in a green glaze that has, as a result of very long burial in da...

This rare and unusual pottery model of an ox, or bull, was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a pale pinkish-coloured pottery that is quite highly-fired, having an almost "metallic" ring to it when tapped. Tang pottery items made from a creamy or pink coloured pottery are rarer and often considered finer than the more "common" dark reddish pottery.

It is a muscular looking bull, with its head down ...

This interesting and attractive pottery tile was made during the Jin Dynasty (AD 1115 - 1234) and most likely comes from Shanxi province. It depicts a scene from the story of the Aunt of Lu, one of the stories of the twenty-four paragons of filial piety:  

In the Zhou period, there was a righteous woman from the Lu state who fled to escape the turmoil of war. During her escape, she abandoned her own son, whom she ha...

A superbly conceived design; jars of this general type have been found in excavations dating as far back as the Spring and Autumn Period (770-475 BC). Although perhaps not obviously Chinese in design, this type of vessel is one of the most iconic forms of Han Dynasty pottery and is thought by some archaeologists to be anthropomorphic, with the shape and "swirling" design of the main body based on the female human form. 

This particular example was mad...

This pottery "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. It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery and has been decorated by "cold painting" a variety of different coloured pigments in a design feat...

This very attractive pair of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). They are made from a dense, quiet highly-fired grey pottery and feature leaves, birds and flower blossoms in high relief. The blossoms are presumably lotus blossoms although could possibly be chrysanthemums. The tile on the left also has one flower still in bud. Note the bird in the right tile holding something in its beak, al...

This highly decorative pair of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). They are made from a dense, quiet highly-fired grey pottery and have been very elaborately decorated in high relief featuring a bird sitting on a branch surrounded by blossoms and buds. These tiles have been "cold painted" in various brightly-coloured pigments, good traces of which still remain. To the back are traces of ancient r...

This rare and unusual pottery tile depicts an armoured warrior. It was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). It is made from a grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment on top of which have been applied various different coloured pigments. This tile depicts a formidable warrior. Note the thick-set facial features, also the headgear and the decorative armour he wears. He stands with fists clench...

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.

*** TO ORDER THIS ITEM PLEASE EMAIL US QUOTING OUR STOCK NUMBER (see above) - WE SHALL THEN EMAIL YOU BACK WITH POSTAGE COSTS AND PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS...

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 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 rare and interesting pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is fairly highly-fired, having a distinct ring to it when tapped. It has been "cold painted" in white, red and black pigments, good amounts of which still remain. Note the details to the facial features, clothing and head gear. He stands as if in attendance awaiting instructions! On the surface in places, particularly to the back, are mi...

This fine and incredibly ancient pottery vessel was made over 6,000 years ago during the Banpo phase (c. 4800 - 4300 BC) of the Yangshao culture in present-day Shaanxi province. This form is probably the most well-known of Banpo pottery, if not of all Chinese Neolithic pottery, and no serious collection of Chinese ceramics should be without an example!

It has a tall cup-shaped mouth and a pointed base....

This very rare and large moulded pottery object was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). It is the base to a "money tree" and has been excavated from Sichuan province. The coin-shedding, or money tree is known from late Han Dynasty funerary art from the south-west of China. It was believed that if shaken, coins would fall from it. The money tree itself would comprise a bronze trunk, or pole, to which were at...

This extremely rare toad-shaped pedestal, or base, for the legendary coin-shedding tree dates to the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and has been excavated from Sichuan province. The coin-shedding, or money, tree is known from late Han Dynasty funerary art from the south-west of China. It was believed that if shaken, coins would fall from it. The money tree itself would comprise a bronze trunk, or pole, to which...

This very rare and unusual moulded pottery object was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). It is the base to a "money tree" and has been excavated from Sichuan province. The coin-shedding, or money, tree is known from late Han Dynasty funerary art from the south-west of China. It was believed that if shaken, coins would fall from it. The money tree itself would comprise a bronze trunk, or pole, to which were...

This impressive and attractive pottery figure was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Such figures from the Yuan Dynasty are very distinctive and are particularly rare and desirable. The surface of such Yuan figures is typically fired to grey, or almost black, and sometimes, as in this case, burnished to a smooth finish.

This figure represents a groom or possibly a merchant. The clothing is distinctly Mong...

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 and quite highly-fired. He stands alert with his right hand raised. The pack on his back, a container for arrows, shows that he is an archer. In the hands would originally have been placed a miniature wooden shield and weapon, now long since rotted away and lost....

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 and quite highly-fired. He stands alert with his right hand raised. The pack on his back, a container for arrows, shows that he is an archer. In the hands would originally have been placed a miniature wooden shield and weapon, now long since rotted away ...

This rare pottery jar was made around 3,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Xindian culture (c. 1200 - 500 BC). The Xindian culture is a relatively late Neolithic culture and overlaps with the Chinese Bronze Age. Xindian pottery is rarer and generally less refined, more coarse and brittle than pottery from some earlier Chinese Neolithic cultures. This jar, however, is well-made and of an attractive form. It is made from quite a gritt...

This rare pottery jar was made around 3,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Xindian culture (c. 1200 - 500 BC). The Xindian culture is a relatively late Neolithic culture and overlaps with the Chinese Bronze Age. Xindian pottery is rarer and generally less refined, more coarse and brittle than pottery from some earlier Chinese Neolithic cultures. 

The lower body is quite wide and there is a tall neck ending with a flared mouth...

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 fine and impressive matching pair of male and female figures was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). They are made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in coloured pigments. They are similarly dressed in long-sleeved robes. Note also the upturned footwear and the distinctive headdresses and hairstyles. 

As with many of our finer items, we have had both o...

This rare large and impressive rectangular pottery serving tray, complete with a ladle and six "ear" cups was made some 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). They are all made from a fairly high-fired grey pottery and "cold painted" in red pigment.

Tray dimensions: length 56.5 cm (22.25 inches), width 35.5 cm (14 inches). Three cups of length 11.25 cm (4.5 inches), three cups of length 13.75 cm (5.5 inc...

This large 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. It is quite "heavily-potted" and is relatively highly-fired. It has a short neck with flared mouth, and two sturdy loop handles on opposing sides at the waist. The outside of the jar and the mouth have been decorated with geometric pat...

A pottery model of a sedan chair made during the 16th century (c.1550 - 1600). Made from a hard creamy-white pottery and coated in complimentary green and yellow glazes. A nice example with good detail, especially to the pagoda-shaped roof. There is an unusual incised pattern to the flat base, possibly a lotus blossom (?).

Height 24 cm. The roof has been re-stuck (it was probably originally attached to the chair just by the g...

A pottery model of a sedan chair made during the 16th century (c.1550 - 1600). Made from a hard creamy-white pottery and coated in complimentary green and golden-brown glazes that in places have acquired a silvery iridescence, a result of long exposure to moisture. A nice example with good detail, especially to the pagoda-shaped roof.

Height 25.5 cm. The finial in the centre of the roof is damaged and has been re-stuck. Othe...

A large and rare example of a pottery model of a sedan chair made during the 16th century (c.1550 - 1600), made from a hard creamy-white pottery and coated in the "fahua" palette of complimentary aubergine and turquoise coloured glazes. It is particularly heavily-potted but has very good surface detail, especially to the roof.

Height 31.75 cm. The finial in the centre of the roof, that is glazed green, appears to have ...

A pottery model of a screen made during the 16th century (c.1550 - 1600). Made from a hard creamy-white pottery and coated in green and black glazes that have, in places, acquired a silvery iridescence, a result of very long exposure to moisture. In addition to the glazes is red pigment.

Length 18.5 cm, height 19 cm. Fine condition - no sign of restoration or repair.

One of a collection of Ming Dynasty pottery model...