Catalog (320)

Fine & Rare Chinese Southern Song Dynasty Qingbai Glazed Porcelain Dish (with carved & moulded decoration)

This attractive porcelain dish, or shallow bowl, was made during the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1127 - 1279). It is coated in a finely-crackled pale greenish translucent qingbai glaze, save for the rim and flat base that remain intentionally unglazed. To the small flat base is a Chinese character in fired-on black pigment that most likely represents a name.

The upper surface is decor...

Fine Rare Chinese Warring States Painted Pottery Jug

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...

Fine & Rare Chinese Warring States Pottery Bird with Oxford TL Test

This very rare pottery model of a bird, either a duck or a goose, was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is "heavily-potted" and made from quite a high-fired grey pottery. The duck stands with its neck and wings stretched, as if in the act of preparing to fly. Note the detail, especially to the wings, with the tiger heads. The style and decoration suggest this model was based on a bronze example. On the...

Fine & Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Burnished Black Pottery Horse & Groom with Oxford TL Test

These impressive and attractive pottery models of a horse and groom were 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 these figures is typically fired to grey, or almost black, and sometimes, as in this case, burnished to a smooth finish.

The horse is laden with a pack on its back, on t...

Fine & Rare Large Chinese Yuan Dynasty Burnished Black Pottery Horse

This impressive and attractive pottery model of a horse 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 these figures is typically fired to grey, or almost black, and sometimes, as in this case, burnished to a smooth finish.

The horse is laden with a pack on its back, on top of which is tied a tiger skin. N...

Fine Reference Book for Ancient Chinese Bronzes

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...

Fine Small Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Celadon Glazed Porcelain Jar

This attractive small porcelain jar was made in the 12th - 14th century during the Song (AD 960 - 1279) or the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368). It is quite "heavily-potted" and coated in a thick pale olive-green glaze. The body, when soft, was indented with five wide vertical impressions to give it a lobed appearance. The foot remains unglazed revealing the pale grey body. There is a small kiln scar to the body.

Height 6.5 cm...

Fine Tall Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery "Stick" Figure

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 pale grey pottery. It has been "cold painted" with a pink/brown flesh-coloured pigment. Note the detail of the facial features and the hairstyle, worn with a top knot.

Various types of "stick" figures have been excavated, altho...

Fine Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider

This fine and elegant 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 various coloured pigments. The horse stands alert with its head turned a little to its left. The riders sits upright with his arms outstretched.

This is quite large example with a height of 39 cm (15.25 inches). It is in very good condition with any po...

Fine Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider

This fine and elegant 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 various coloured pigments. The horse stands alert with its head turned a little to its left. The riders sits with is body turned to his left with arms outstretched.

This is quite large example with a height of 38 cm (15 inches). It is in very good cond...

Fine Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider

This fine and elegant 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 various coloured pigments. The horse stands alert with its head turned a little to its left. The riders sits leaning slightly forward with arms outstretched.

This is quite large example with a height of 39 cm (15.25 inches). It is in very good conditio...

Fine Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Lady with Oxford TL Test (44cm)

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...

Fine TALL Chinese Tang Dynasty White Pottery Guardian Figure with Oxford TL Test  

This undeniably impressive pottery figure of a guardian was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a fairly high-fired creamy-white pottery with traces of yellow, red and black "cold painted" pigments to the surface. He stands upon a rock, head turned slightly, with his hands out. Note the clothing and head gear: an armoured jacket secured with straps over his shoulder and a belt at he ...

Fine Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier (206 BC - AD 8)

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. It has been "cold painted" in white, red and black pigments, good traces of which still remain. There are purpose-made holes in each of the clasped hands, where originally would have been placed a miniature shield and weapon, probably...

Fine Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier (with impressed seal)

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 ...

Fine Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery "Stick" Girl

This fine and rare painted pottery figure of a nude girl was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8), more specifically, the 2nd century BC. It is one of a variety of Han Dynasty "stick" figures. The vast majority of "stick" figures represent males; female figures are particularly rare. It is made from a dense fine-grained grey pottery that has been "cold painted" after firing in a pale brown / flesh-coloured pi...

Fine TALL Pair Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Lokapala Figures with Oxford TL Test  

This fine and impressive matching pair of pottery lokapala figures was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). They are "heavily-potted" and made from a reddish pottery that have been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments. On the surface in places there still remain traces of gold leaf. Note the exquisite detail of their clothing and hairstyle. They have clenched fists with ferocious facia...

GENUINE Dinosaur Egg Fossil - Hadrosaur

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 ...