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The great leader President Kim Il Sung said: "The people of Koryo greatly developed the printing industry by inventing metal type for the first time in the world and manufactured the Koryo ceramics which the world values as treasures because of their distinctive colours, patterns and models. All these made our country famous".
Part of the introduction to this book. The Koryo Museum complex is at the foot of Mt...
This fine pottery jar was made some 4,000 years ago. Although it was excavated from Gansu province, we are not certain from which Neolithic culture it derives although it is probably a product of the Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC).� It is well-made and quite highly-fired, having a distinct ring when tapped. The lower body has been decorated with an impressed, almost spiral pattern...
This 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 inside of the mouth and the upper body have been decorated with geometric patterns in purple and black fired-on mineral-based pigments...
This large 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 buff-coloured pottery and a very elegant example of its type. It stands on quite an elaborate integral pedestal with the lower body decorated with bands of applied lotus leaves...
This rare and interesting pottery jar was made between the 10th and 13th centuries, during the Five Dynasties period (AD 906 - 960), Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) and has been excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province.�
It is quite "heavily-potted" and relatively highly-fired. The jar and cover have been formed with a lotus leaf design...
An Unusual Chinese Han Dynasty Finial or Cover 206BC- 220AD
Ht. 6 1/4 ins. (15.8 cms) This unusual object may be the cover to a jar or some sort of finial, we have never seen anything like it before or, indeed, found any book illustrations of similar...
This rare pottery figure was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). 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 painted pink, red and black pigments with a good deal of the original pigment still remaining. The holes in his sleeves are where originally would have been placed articulated wooden hands, now long since rotted away and lost...
A Fine Japanese Shijo School Drawing by Dozan. Late Edo Period
10 1/2 x 9 1/4 ins. (26.7 x 23.5 cms) This superb Shijo drawing of a woman carrying a ladder and a stool on her head is sealed Dozan, a plainly very accomplished artist whose identity remains a mystery. Several drawings by the artist have come on to the market since the 1960s. At Christies London on 17th. June 1996 an album of 22 similar drawings by the artist were sold for GBP 3680...
This rare pottery box was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is a two-part box made from a grey pottery. The cover has been elaborately decorated by "cold-painting" a base coat of creamy-white pigment on top of which have been various coloured pigments, mainly red, white and black, but there are also traces of green and purple pigments...
This attractive model of a horse and rider was made during the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386 - 534). It is made from a grey pottery that has been cold painted in a creamy-white pigment on top of which have been applied other coloured pigments. Note the detail of the female rider's facial features and hairstyle.
Height 29.5 cm (11.5 inches)...
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...
This large and impressive pottery jar dates to the Siwa culture (c...
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 many archaeologists to be anthropomorphic, with the shape and "swirling" design of the main body based on the female human form....
This very attractive covered box was made during the mid 15th century. It is quite "heavily-potted" and elaborately decorated in underglaze blue with a mixture of floral and geometric patterns. It is coated in a crackled glaze on top of which are traces of the original green enamel. Diameter 6.5 cm. Although there is no repair or restoration, there is a chip and a hairline crack to the inner lip of the lower section
Items such as...
This attractively-shaped pottery jar was made some 4,000 years ago 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 finely-potted with thin walls and the pottery has fired to a nice reddish-orange colour. It has a wide body with two loop handles joined at the shoulder and the flared mouth, and a relatively small flat base. Unlik...
This attractively-shaped pottery jar was made some 4,000 years ago 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 finely-potted with a wide body and one handle from the shoulder to the wide flared mouth. The smooth burnished surface makes this vessel a pleasure to handle as well as to view.
A good size with a height of 16...
This very rare and unusually-shaped pottery jar was made some 4,000 years ago 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 finely-potted with a wide body and two loop handles. The body stands on an integral foot that is pierced with three circular holes. It has a very smooth burnished surface. There are lightly-incis...
This rare and attractively-shaped round pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago 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 has a wide body, straight neck and wide flared-mouth. The surface above the waist, as well as the inside of the mouth, has been finely-burnished and is very smooth to the touch. Around the neck is a band o...
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This rare and attractively-shaped small double-gourd jar was made during the 15th century. It is coated in a finely-crackled glaze and elaborately decorated in underglaze blue, the pattern featuring scrolling floral and lotus leaf patterns. Height 7 cm. It is in very good condition with no repair or restoration and just minor “nibbling” to the edge of the vulnerable mouth.
Items such as this were, and still are, much revered amon...
This very rare and attractively-shaped pottery jar was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) and has been excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province.
The jar has been decorated with four large lotus leaf panels within which are moulded and applied human figures and zodiac animals. The pottery is quite “brittle” and there are minor losses to the vulnerable edges. Much...
This fine pottery model of a horse and rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). Sitting on the horse is a male courtier, often referred to as a "fat man", the male equivalent of the "fat lady"; note the clothing and hairstyle. It is made from a relatively high-fired buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments.
Height 31 cm. There is no obvious sign of repair, as is conf...
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The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung said: "Our nation, celebrated for its long history and brilliant culture, has contributed a great deal of scientific creations and inventions to the treasure house of human culture since the ancient times."
Part of the introduction to this fine book. This is the most recent publication of a fine selection of exhibits from the Korean Central History Museum that stands in Kim Il Sung Square...
This stoneware jar, or bottle of globular form was made during the 14th - 15th centuries at one of the Sawankhalok kilns. It is particularly heavily-potted. Around the shoulder and lower body are repeated bands of lightly incised lines. There are two small loop handles at the neck. It is coated in a finely-crackled greenish-grey glaze that falls short of the foot revealing the dark reddish brown stoneware body. To the base is the circular mark ...
This rare stoneware jar was made during the Southern Dynasties period (AD 420 - 589). Such wares from this period are relatively rare and quite distinctive. This jar has a flat base, a wide mouth and a series of "square-cut" loop handles placed around the shoulder: a pair of single handles opposite each other as well as a pair of double handles opposite each other. In between the handles there are two finely-incised lines that surround the ...
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This fine and rare stoneware ewer was made during the 9th to 10th century (from the end of the Tang Dynasty AD 608 - 916, the Five Dynasties period AD 907 - 960, to the Northern Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1127), most likely a product of one of the Guangdong kilns. Both inner and outer surfaces are coated in a very finely-crackled olive-green glaze. The base and extreme lower body remain unglazed where the exposed stoneware body has fired from a pale...
This covered box was made during the 13th - 14th century, most likely at the Dehua kilns in Fujian province. Both upper and lower parts are decorated with moulded scrolling patterns. The inner and outer surfaces are coated in a very finely-crackled qingbai glaze that has just a hint of blue. The slightly concave base remains unglazed.
Diameter 12 cm. This is a very nice example although there are minor faults: there are mino...
This large blue & white "Swatow" (or "Zhangzhou") porcelain dish was made in the 16th / 17th century, most likely during the Wanli Reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. It is "heavily-potted" and coated in a heavily-crackled glaze. The upper surface is decorated in underglaze blue with peonies within thin blue bands. The underside is simply decorated with circular blue bands. Embedded in the glaze around the foot is san...
This rare porcelain wine cup was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) or possibly a little earlier. To the lower body is a band of moulded Buddhist rui lappets together with a moulded seal mark within the foot. The white porcelain body is particularly translucent, highly-fired with a high-pitched ring when tapped.
Diameter 5.5 cm, height 3.5 cm. It is in fine condition with minimal surface wear and no restoration or re...
This exceptionally large and impressive pottery model of a camel was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in various different coloured pigments. The camel stands upright and alert with its head raised a little.
Height 75 cm (29.5 inches), length 60 cm (23.5 inches).
We have had this camel tested by Oxford Authentications, the only test...
This fine-quality pottery jar was made some 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is relatively highly-fired, has two raised bands around the waist with applied moulded taotie mask handles on opposing sides and has a flared foot. The smooth burnished surface has a silvery sheen to it. Its moulded cover depicts two intertwined dragons. Around the mouth are calcified deposits from long burial (easily removed).
Hei...
This small and attractive pottery model of a horse was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from a black pottery with a smooth burnished surface. Note the detail to its mane. Pottery horses from the Yuan dynasty are much rarer than those from other periods.
Height 17 cm, length 20 cm. It is in good presentable condition, although there is restoration to the tail and ears, also a minor repair to ...
This rare decorated glazed bowl was made around AD 826, during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906) at the Changsha kilns. We can be that precise about the dating because it was excavated from the "Belitung Wreck" in 1998-99, a mile off the coast of Belitung, Indonesia. Another bowl from that wreck is inscribed with a date equivalent to AD 826 and carbon 14 analysis of the wreck also confirms an early 9th century date. Al...
This extremely rare and unusual jar was made during the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368). It has a splayed foot and is quite "heavily-potted" with the whole of the outer body profusely decorated with what are most likely religious (Buddhist) motifs. The lower body is covered in repeated carved lotus leaves. Around the waist is a band of "pie crust" decoration on top of which stand twelve human-like figures, the bodies moulde...
A rare opportunity to acquire a Northern Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1127) kiln saggar still containing its Qingbai porcelain bowl, excavated from a kiln site in the Jingdezhen area of Jiangxi province.
Northern Song Dynasty Qingbai porcelain was fired individually in saggars (the fireproof clay case) that were stacked on top of each other in the kiln. Firing in kilns was then, of course, not the exact science tha...
This bronze ding was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). Its form, that of a three-legged covered cooking vessel, is well-known amongst Han Dynasty bronzes. However, most examples are larger; this is a rare small example. The body stands on three legs that are in the form of bears. On either side of the vessel are square handles. The round cover is surmounted by three decorative animal-head handles, designed so that it can be ...
This impressive and detailed pottery model of a horse and rider was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). It has been coated in green, amber and black glazes. The rider's head has been made separately and has been "cold-painted" in black and white pigments: the head fits into a slot in the neck of the rider. Note the detail to the rider's clothing, the various fittings and especially the horse's mane. This horse comes complete with its own c...
We have recently been lucky enough to have acquired a collection of very rare examples of burnished black pottery items made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Such items are relatively unknown and very little has been published about them. They are found in the northern provinces, particularly Gansu province in the north-west.
A black pottery censer; it is quite heavily-potted with a wide flat rim and three legs. It has a burn...
This rare pottery model of a granary was made some 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is coated in a very attractive amber glaze that varies slightly in colour around the vessel. The unusual shoulder and top presumably represent a two-tier tiled roof. It has its original cover with moulded floral pattern and two purpose-made holes. We know from two other similar examples we have from the same excava...
This very rare pottery model of a horse & rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). The body of the horse, complete with the rider, has been made in a two-piece mould. the join running along the horse's neck and back and the sides of the rider. Note the detail of the rider, his clothing and his hands. Note also the sturdy legs of the horse and the way the tail joins the cut-out base to give extra strengt...
This tall pottery figure was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It represents a male servant or attendant. It is "heavily-potted" and made from a grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments, much of which still remain. There is a purpose-made hole, where the would-be hands are clasped together under the robe, where originally would have been placed possibly a banner of some so...
This attractive pottery model of a horse and rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment on top of which have been applied various coloured pigments. The rider is a musician, a drummer, and is in the act of beating his drum. Interestingly in his left clasped hand can be seen the faint remains of rusted iron, the remains of a miniat...
This unusual model of a horse & rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a creamy-white pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments. Note the detail of the overweight rider's clothing and hairstyle.
Height 33.5cm (13 inches). This is a rare and interesting example of Tang Dynasty equestrian pottery sculpture in good presentable condition with signs of the usual and expected repairs to t...
This very rare pottery model of a pack horse, or pony, was made during the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386 - 534). It is made from a grey pottery that has been "cold painted" with traces of red and white pigments remaining. Note the detail of the saddle bags and pack. Interestingly, on the surface of the back left hoof is a heavy rust deposit suggesting this horse lay alongside an iron object during its long burial. ...
This fine example of a painted pottery tripod, most likely a steamer, 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 body stands on three long curved legs that have been luted to the surface. It has a wide ridge surrounding the body that allows the upper part to be place...
This highly decorative set of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). They are made from a dense, quiet highly-fired grey pottery and comprise three tiles, the left and right tiles being very elaborately decorated with lotus buds and blossoms in high relief, together with a central spacer tile. These tiles have been "cold painted", in places the background with a black pigment, but the decorative element...
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 made from a pale yellowish-brown pottery. It is of quite an unusual form, a wide body with two sturdy loop handles, a tall narrow neck and a flared mouth. The elaborate painted geometric patterns coveri...
This large and unusual pottery vessel in the form of a recumbent ram was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It has a thick cylindrical neck on its back quite a wide opening. Possible this vessel was used as base for the pole of a banner or screen support. Traces of the original "cold painted" coloured pigments can be seen.
Length 41 cm (16 inches), height 18.5 cm (7.25 inches). Overall condition is good; there is some loss o...
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. It has an unusually small neck compared to its large body size. As usual with this type of large Machang jar, on opposing sides just below ...
This fine pair of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). They are made of a dense grey pottery and have been painted in black pigment. Each tile features, in high relief and in great detail, a flying horse surrounded by clouds. Mounted and lit well, these tiles make superb decorative items.
The total length when both tiles are placed together is 51.5 cm (20.25 inches), height 25.5 cm 10 inches). Conditio...
This fine pair of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). They are made of a dense grey pottery and have been painted in black pigment. Each tile features, in high relief and in good detail, a recumbent long-horned ox, or cow, looking up at the moon. Mounted and lit well, these tiles make superb decorative items.
The total length when both tiles are placed together is 52.5 cm (20.5 inches), height 25.5 ...
This fine, high quality bronze bowl and utensils were made during the Koryo Dynasty (AD 918 - 1392) but more specifically during the 13th century. The wall of the bowl is particularly thin as it was made by the spinning technique as opposed to having been cast (see below for more information). The foot of the bowl has been made separately and is joined by two rivets. Originally its surface would have been brightly polished but it has,...
This large and impressive pottery model was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and excavated from Sichuan province. It is a model of a kneeling female figure holding in one hand a knife, and in the other a fish that lays on a chopping board. It is made from a particularly red pottery that is relatively low-fired. A variety of figures of this general type, some small, some large, excavated from Sichuan prov...
This large and impressive pottery model of a musician was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and excavated from Sichuan province. A variety of figures of this general type excavated from Sichuan province are known. They are often musicians and entertainers, and were made in a variety of sizes, this particular example being of the larger type.
This figure wears a robe with wide sleeves and is kneeling in th...
This rare and interesting bronze bell was made during the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 1100 - 771 BC). It would have originally been fitted to a horse-drawn chariot, ringing constantly as the chariot went along. It still has its bronze ball inside the bell section so shaking it will make the same sound that was heard some 3,000 years ago! The surface has corroded due to long burial and there are extensive malachite deposits.
Height 13 cm ...
This attractively-shaped pottery jar was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is made from a fine-grained grey pottery, relatively highly-fired, having a distinct ring to it when tapped. It has a flat base and the lower body has lightly incised lines around it. At the waist and above are several ridges and bands, within which are burnished lines forming geometric patterns. There is a depression around the botto...
This tall and impressive pottery "stick" figure was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8), more specifically, the 2nd century BC. It is "heavily-potted" and made from a dense fine-grained pottery that is relatively highly-fired. It has been "cold painted" with a pink/brown flesh-coloured pigment on top of which the facial features have been picked-out in black and red pigments. These figures were made...
This extremely rare jar, complete with original cover, was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Although we have seen several jars of a generally similar form (usually attributed to the earlier Song Dynasty) we have never before seen a jar of this form with underglaze cobalt blue decoration. It is most likely a product of one of the kilns at Yuxi in Yunnan province, one of the earliest place...
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. It is "heavily-potted" and relatively highly-fired. This jar has a wide body with two sturdy loop handles on opposing sides at its waist. The flat base has some impressions in it...