Catalog (429)

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...