Catalog (320)

This stone panel, sometimes described as a "prayer tablet", was excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province in the South-West of China and dates to the 13th to 14th century, i.e. the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) or possibly the early Ming Dynasty. It is one of several that we bought nearly twenty years ago to compliment our collection of Yunnan Buddhist pottery, that has since been in stor...

This pottery "cocoon" jar was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery and has been decorated by "cold painting" different coloured pigments in a design featuring cloud patterns within vertical bands. In places on the surface are the ancient remains of root/plant growths from its long burial.

Height 25.5 cm (10 inches), length of b...

This attractive pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906) and most likely represents a groom. It is made from a red pottery and joins at the sides show it was made in a two-piece mould. The surface has been cold-painted in a white pigment with the facial details picked out in red and black pigments. The figures stands in attendance with hands clasped together under long sleeves. Note also the details of the...

This very 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 much less refined, more coarse and brittle than pottery from some earlier Chinese Neolithic cultures. Like many Xindian jars, this example is quite "thinly-potted" and shows "...

This unusually-shaped 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 relatively highly-fired and made from a pale yellowish-brown pottery. It has a fairly wide flat base, wide body and tall cylindrical neck. There is one loop handle joined at the shoulder and neck base, ...

This pottery "cocoon" jar was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery and has been decorated by "cold painting" different coloured pigments in a design featuring cloud patterns within vertical bands.

Height 22.25 cm, length of body 24 cm. This is a very good example. It has a high degree of the original coloured surface pigments ...

This pottery "cocoon" jar was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery and has been decorated by "cold painting" different coloured pigments in a design featuring cloud patterns within vertical bands.

Height 22.25 cm, length of body 26 cm. This is a very good example. It has a high degree of the original coloured surface pigments ...

This wonderfully-shaped pottery jar was made during the early part of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8), or possibly the preceding Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC). This type of jar is usually referred to as a "cocoon jar" due to the shape of its body. Its original function was that of a grain storage jar. The jar is fairly "heavily-potted" and has quite a wide foot with a neck and flared mouth. Decoration comprises eleven b...

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 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 pottery "cocoon" jar was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery and has been decorated by "cold painting" different coloured pigments in a design featuring cloud patterns within vertical bands. What is unusual about this particular example is that it is has not been properly cleaned since having been excavated many years ago and...

This unusual pottery tripod vessel, or "ding", was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a grey pottery, relatively highly-fired, both body and cover having a distinct ring when tapped. There are traces on the surface still remaining of its original "cold painted" pattern. The body has, on opposing sides, two square-cut handles. The raised circular band around the top of the cover allows ...

Arguably the most desirable pottery sculpture from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 – 906) is the female courtier, or "fat lady". This relatively small example is particularly elegant. It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been elaborately decorated in various coloured cold-painted pigments. The lady stands demurely with her hands clasped together under her flowing robe. Note also the detail of the facial features, th...

Arguably the most desirable pottery sculpture from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 – 906) is the female courtier, or "fat lady". This relatively small example is particularly elegant. It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been elaborately decorated in various coloured cold-painted pigments. The lady stands demurely with her hands clasped together under her flowing robe. Note also the detail of the facial features, th...

Arguably the most desirable pottery sculpture from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 – 906) is the female courtier, or "fat lady". This relatively small example is particularly elegant. It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been elaborately decorated in various coloured cold-painted pigments. The lady stands demurely with her hands clasped together under her flowing robe. Note also the detail of the facial features, th...

This rare and impressive stoneware jar was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 -1279). It is quite "heavily-potted" with the outer body and inner mouth coated in an attractive chocolate-brown glaze, that has an almost "silvery" sheen to it. The applied decoration around the shoulder features a dragon chasing a pearl. The pearl represents wisdom, prosperity, power, immortality and the moon, and is also used as ...

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...

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 relatively highly-fired and made from a pale yellowish-brown pottery. For its type it has quite a large flat base with the body flaring out towards the wide waist where there are two sturdy loop handles. The u...

This attractive pottery model of a saddled horse, or pony, was made during the early part of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is one of a group of four we acquired several years ago, all clearly from the same location. It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from a reddish pottery. It has been "cold-painted" in a base coat of a creamy-white pigment with various other coloured pigments applied on top. Note especially the attention to de...

This fossilised dinosaur egg is from the Hadrosaur species, dating to the late Cretaceous Period (c. 85 - 65 millions years ago). Fossilised hadrosaur eggs and remains have been found in China, Europe, South America and North America. This example was excavated from the north of China and is one of several we bought back in the mid 1990s - it has been with us in the UK since then and has not previously been offered for sale.

The vast majority of ...

This tall and attractively-shaped pottery vessel was made around 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Qijia Culture in eastern Gansu province, China dating from approx. 2050 - 1700 BC. It is relatively highly-fired. The lower surface has been decorated with repeated vertical lines whereas the upper surface has been burnished to a smooth finish. At the waist are two loop handles, with the surface of the body on the inside of the handles slightly d...

This very 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 a variety of finer vessels such as this, with none, one, two or three handles, although those with three handles are extremely rare. It is relatively highly-...

This pottery tripod vessel, or "ding", was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery. The body stands on three sturdy integral feet. On opposite sides at the waist are two square-cut handles. Both cover and body have been decorated with cold-painted brown and creamy-white pigments. On top of the dome-shaped cover are three equally-spaced protrusions. This vessel has had m...

This attractive pottery tile depicting a mandarin (Chinese official) was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It is made from a dense, quite highly-fired grey pottery. The mandarin wears a flowing robe, belted across his waist, with his badge of rank in the centre of his chest. In his right hand is what appears to be a hu (audience tablet). On top of the object held in his left hand sits a rabbit (or hare). Note also the mandarin's ha...

This attractive pottery tile depicting a mandarin (Chinese official) was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It is made from a dense, quite highly-fired grey pottery. The mandarin wears a flowing robe, belted across his waist, with his badge of rank in the centre of his chest. In his left hand is what appears to be a hu (audience tablet). Note also the mandarin's hat and long beard & moustache. This tile has been "cold painted" in bl...

This interesting stoneware jar was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 -1279). It is quite "heavily-potted" with deep ridges to the body and the applied decoration around the shoulder featuring a dragon chasing a pearl. The story of the dragon's pearl is one of the oldest tales in Chinese folklore. In addition to the dragon and pearl are five small appliqués. It is coated in a yellowish-brown glaze. The colour of the gla...

This wonderfully-shaped pottery jar was made during the early part of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8), or possibly the preceding Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC). This type of jar is usually referred to as a "cocoon jar" due to the shape of its body. Its original function was that of a grain storage jar. This particular example has a wide foot, neck and mouth compared to the size of its body. Decoration comprises ten bands of trip...

This pottery jar of a very rare form 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 has an unusually tall neck for its general type that is not quite centred to the wide body. At its mouth is a flared rim with two loop handles on opposing sides. It is quite thinly-potted and highly-fired, made fro...

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...

This rare pottery jar was made around 3,000 years ago. Although we are not certain from which Neolithic culture it originates, it does have similarities to pottery of the Xindian Culture (c. 1200 - 500 BC). The surface colour of the pottery varies considerably due to uneven conditions in the kiln during firing. It a has a convex base with two wide loop handles and a castellated decorative band around both sides of the mouth. The outer surface has ...

This rare pottery jar was made around 3,000 years ago. Although we are not certain from which Neolithic culture it originates, it does have similarities to pottery of the Xindian Culture (c. 1200 - 500 BC). It is fairly "heavily-potted" and the surface colour of the pottery varies considerably due to uneven conditions in the kiln during firing. It a has a convex base with two wide loop handles and a castellated rim. The entire outer surface has be...

This rare pottery jar was made in the 12th / 13th century 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 buff-coloured pottery and is of globular form standing on an integral foot. Both cover and jar are decorated with bands of incised parallel lines, on the jar forming lotus leaf shapes. Some of the...

This rare pottery jar was made in the 12th / 13th century 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 buff-coloured pottery and is of globular form standing on an integral foot. Both cover and jar are decorated with incised lines, on the jar forming lotus leaf panels. Some of the lines on both the...

This rare pottery jar was made in the 12th / 13th century during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368).

It is made from a buff-coloured pottery and is of globular form standing on an integral foot. The upper part of the jar has been decorated with incised lotus leaf panels each containing a tree pattern. Above these is an incised geometric pattern surrounding the mouth. To the lower ...

This stone panel, sometimes described as a "prayer tablet", was excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province in the South-West of China and dates to the 13th to 14th century, i.e. the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) or possibly the early Ming Dynasty. It is one of several that we bought nearly twenty years ago to compliment our collection of Yunnan Buddhist pottery, that have since been ...

This stone panel, sometimes described as a "prayer tablet", was excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province in the South-West of China and dates to the 13th to 14th century, i.e. the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) or possibly the early Ming Dynasty. It is one of several that we bought nearly twenty years ago to compliment our collection of Yunnan Buddhist pottery, that have since been in sto...

This stone panel, sometimes described as a "prayer tablet", was excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province in the South-West of China and dates to the 13th to 14th century, i.e. the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) or possibly the early Ming Dynasty. It is one of several that we bought nearly twenty years ago to compliment our collection of Yunnan Buddhist pottery, that have since been in sto...

This stone panel, sometimes described as a "prayer tablet", was excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province in the South-West of China and dates to the 13th to 14th century, i.e. the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) or possibly the early Ming Dynasty. It is one of several that we bought nearly twenty years ago to compliment our collection of Yunnan Buddhist pottery, that have since been in sto...

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, the yellowish-brown surface colour being due to the iron-rich Yunnan soil.

Strips of clay have been applied to the outer wall to form two bands each of six lotus leaf panels. Within...

This pottery tripod vessel, or "ding", was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery. The body stands on three sturdy integral feet. On opposite sides at the waist are two square-cut handles. The cover has been decorated with cold-painted brown and creamy-white pigments. On top of the dome-shaped cover are three equally-spaced protrusions. This vessel has had minimal clea...

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 ...

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 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...

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 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 ...

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 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 impressive pottery jar was made during the late Warring States period (475 - 221 BC) or possibly the early Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a relatively highly-fired fine-grained grey pottery and has a nice smooth surface. The body is decorated with two raised bands around the waist that have been impressed with geometric patterns. Around the shoulder there are two bands of impressed lines. Above the short...

This bronze axe head dates approximately to the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It has a relatively wide cutting edge and on one side are timber marks within the surface corrosion. Inside are remains of its wooden shaft. Length 15 cm (6 inches). A lovely example in very good condition.

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

This interesting 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 Tian Brothers, one of the stories of the twenty-four paragons of filial piety:

In the Eastern Han dynasty, there were three brothers in the Tian family. After their father passed away, they turned against each other and split the assets, inc...

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...

An impressive pottery model of a laden table made during the 16th century (c. 1550 - 1600), from a hard creamy-white pottery. On the table are twelve dishes containing various foods, some stacked, including a duck, fish and a boar's head. The table top cold-painted in a black pigment, the rest of the table and the items coated in green, yellow and golden-brown glazes that have, in places, acquired a silvery iridescence, a re...

This fine pottery jar was made during the Eastern Zhou period (770 - 221 BC). It is made from a relatively highly-fired fine grey pottery. It has a round base that has been decorated with cord impressions that are particularly crisp. On opposing sides of the shoulder are small square-cut handles. The neck is slightly ridged for additional decoration and it has a flared mouth. 

Height 18.5 cm (7.25 inches). Condition is very ...

This very rare pottery vessel was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is "heavily-potted" with a sturdy handle and the mouth fashioned to form a pouring lip. It was originally painted with diagonal lines in white and orange-brown pigments, although only faint traces of this now remains. Note the round protrusion to the inner surface where the handle is joined to the body. To the flat base there appears to be a moulded sym...

This stone panel, sometimes described as a "prayer tablet", was excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province in the South-West of China and dates to the 13th to 14th century, i.e. the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) or possibly the early Ming Dynasty. It is one of several that we bought nearly twenty years ago to compliment our collection of Yunnan Buddhist pottery, that have since been...

This very rare pottery vessel was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is quite highly-fired and "heavily-potted" with a sturdy handle and the mouth fashioned to form a pouring lip. It was originally painted with diagonal lines in white pigment, although only faint traces of this now remains. Note the round protrusion to the inner surface where the handle is joined to the body. To the flat base there appears to be a mou...

This rare pottery tripod ("li") was made some 4,000 years ago. Although similar vessels were made by various Chinese Neolithic cultures, we believe this particular example to have been made by potters of the Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC). The form is of a cooking vessel and the three wide udder-shaped legs allow it to be stood in a fire with as much heat as possible being transmitted to the contents inside the vessel. Such tripods are...

This twin-handled 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 thin-walled and relatively highly-fired. The upper body has been coated in a reddish-brown wash on top of which have been painted geometric patterns in a dark fired-on mineral-based pigment. Interest...

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 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 creamy-white pigment. This horse is well-modelled and stands upright and alert with its head turned a little to its left.

Height 22 cm (8.5 inches). A fine example in very good condition.

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