Catalog (109)

Published price £68.00. Our price £30.00

This fine book is the fully illustrated catalogue of an exhibition of 125 outstanding examples of Chinese bronze, jade and pottery objects dating from the 13th century BC to the 3rd century AD. It really is packed with information about the civilizations of this period in the Sichuan basin in the relatively isolated south-west of China. See our images for more information.

This is a top...

This fine and impressive pottery jar (hu) was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is made from a fairly high-fired reddish pottery and coated in a particularly attractive glossy thick streaky green and finely-crackled glaze, the colour of which varies according to its thickness. Interestingly, the drips of glaze to the mouth rim and the pooling of glaze to the flat base show that this jar was fired upsid...

This rare and attractively-shaped pottery jar of semi-spherical form was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC) or possible earlier (Eastern Zhou period 770 - 221 BC). It is made from a relatively highly-fired fine grey pottery. The lower body has been decorated with repeated cord impressions that are particularly crisp. Interestingly, there is a network of ancient root/plants growths to much of the inner s...

This fine pottery head was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment on top of which have been painted pink, red and black pigments to pick out the facial details.

Height 10.5 cm. It is in very good condition with expected surface wear but no repair or restoration.

Note: the black plastic base on which it stands in the first photo is a photographic p...

This small pottery jar was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). This type of jar is known as a "cocoon jar" due to the shape of its body. It is "heavily-potted" and decorated with nine bands of double-incised lines vertically surrounding the body as well as raised horizontal bands around its neck. It has a smooth burnished surface.

Although many Han Dynasty "cocoon jars" of varying sizes are known, examples of this ...

This pottery model of a standing dog was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and excavated from Sichuan province. It is made from a "heavily-potted" reddish-coloured pottery. The upper body has been coated with a thin green glaze that has mostly degraded although there is a run across the chest where the glaze is thicker and finely-crackled. The dog stands upright and alert with its ears pricked up. Note ...

This pottery model of a kneeling lady was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and excavated from Sichuan province. It is made from a reddish-coloured pottery. A variety of figures of this general type are known. They are often musicians and entertainers, and were made in a variety of sizes. This is an unusual example; she is kneeling and in her left hand she holds a ladle that is being dipped into...

This pottery jar of "hu" form was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) and comes from Shaanxi province in the northwest of China. It is made from a relatively highly-fired reddish pottery and has simple incised decorative bands surrounding the jar at its shoulder. The whole surface, including the base and inner mouth, is coated in an amber-coloured glaze that has a "bubbled" surface. The flat base has marks where ...

This pottery jar of "hu" form was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) and comes from Shaanxi province in the northwest of China. It is made from a relatively highly-fired reddish pottery and has simple incised decorative bands surrounding the jar at its shoulder. The whole surface, including the base and inner mouth, is coated in an attractive amber-coloured glaze that is very finely-crackled. The flat base has mark...

This pottery jar of "hu" form was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) and comes from Shaanxi province in the northwest of China. It is made from a relatively highly-fired reddish pottery and has simple incised decorative bands surrounding the jar at its shoulder. The whole surface, including the base and inner mouth, is coated in an attractive amber-coloured glaze that is very finely-crackled. The flat base has mark...

This domestic bronze cooking vessel was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) or possibly earlier. It has two handles on opposing sides of the shoulder. It is quite "heavily-cast" and the casting lines are quite pronounced, especially across the flat base. There is some corrosion, mostly to the base where it comprises mostly malachite (green) and azurite (blue). There are also black carbon deposits on the surface in places,...

This large and imposing pottery jar, of "hu" form, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from grey pottery and has a particularly wide body, the neck flaring out into a wide mouth. Unusually, it comes complete with its original cover.

The surface has been thickly cold-painted with a creamy-white pigment on top of which are swirls and geometric patterns in yellow-ochr...

This large and imposing pottery jar, of "hu" form, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a fairly high-fired grey pottery. It has a particularly wide body with a relatively short neck that flares out into a wide mouth. There are three raised decorative bands surrounding its wide body. On opposite sides at the shoulder are moulded "taotie" mask handles. The outer surface has been cold-painted in creamy...

This large and nicely-shaped pottery jar was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) or possibly earlier, during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is made from a relatively high-fired dense grey pottery. To the worn upper surface there are traces of faint very lightly incised bands. The lower body is decorated with surrounding combed lines. To the shoulder there is a small depression that most likely occurred during firi...

This fine pottery model of a horse was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a fairly high-fired fine-grained grey pottery and has been "cold painted" in a pale pink pigment with details on top in red and black pigments. The horse stands upright and alert.

Height 27.5 cm. It is in fine condition with only faint traces of repair to a couple of the vulnerable legs (as should, of course, re...

This interesting pottery model of a groom was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from a fairly high-fired grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in white, red, pink and black pigments. The figure wears a long garment and a head covering. He stands with his left hand outstretched as if holding the reigns of a horse (see our last image for an illustration of this). There are purp...

This tall and impressive pottery figure was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a dense grey pottery, the head made separately to the body. Both head and body have been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments, traces of which still remain. The figure represents a female attendant and she wears long flowing robes. The head has two small vertical slots where originally would have been so...

This tall pottery figure was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and has been excavated from Sichuan province. Such figures are usually referred to as farmers, although during this period Sichuan farmers were also called upon by their masters to become soldiers when required. This figure holds in his left hand a long sword, and in his right hand a shield. There is also a short knife attached to his belt. He wea...

This fine tall pottery figure was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). A whole variety of pottery figures of varying sizes of this general type comprising farmers, musicians, domestic servants etc. are known and have been excavated from Sichuan province. This is a large example and is made from a pale yellowish-grey pottery, with the head made separately that fits into the hollow ...

This tall pottery figure was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and has been excavated from Sichuan province. It is made from a reddish pottery and is highly detailed. Such figures are usually referred to as farmers, although during this period Sichuan farmers were also called upon by their masters to become soldiers when required. As well as holding a long-handled spade in one hand and a winnowing tray in th...

This fine, impressive and very rare pair of pottery vases was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) or possibly a little earlier. They are of a particularly pleasing and elegant form, the wide bodies rising up from the flat bases, then constricting into long slender necks and finally opening up into fairly wide mouths. They are quite "heavily-potted" and made from a dense fine-grained dark grey pottery, the surface o...

This fine pair of pottery jars of the form known as "hu" was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - AD 220). They are made from a fairly high-fired reddish pottery and coated in an attractive and very finely-crackled glaze, the colour of which varies according to its thickness, from a golden-brown to almost olive-green. Interestingly, kiln scars to both the rims and bases show that such jars were fired sta...

This oversized vessel, in the form of a "cocoon jar", was made during the Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC) or possibly a little earlier during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC), but even then by the Qin state. It is made from a fairly high-fired fine-grained grey pottery. The whole of the outer surface of the body is decorated with repeated cord or woven impressions with vertical bands then being made around the body ...

This oversized vessel, in the form of a "cocoon jar" was made during the Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC) or possibly a little earlier during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC), but even then by the Qin state. It is made from a fairly high-fired fine-grained grey pottery. The whole of the outer surface of the body is decorated with repeated cord or woven impressions, particularly crisp in places, ...

This impressive fine pair of painted pottery jars, representing granaries, was made over two thousand years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). They are made from a fairly high-fired grey pottery. They have cylindrical bodies, each decorated with three surrounding bands of raised ridges, the tops of each jar representing tiled roofs. Each jar stands on three feet moulded into the form of a bear. Near th...

This fine and rare pair of painted pottery jars, representing granaries, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). They are made from a fairly high-fired grey pottery. They have cylindrical bodies, domed tops with fairly small circular openings. The ridges to the shoulder of each jar represent roof tiles. Each jar stands on three feet moulded into the form of a bear.

Many examples of...

This tall pottery figure was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and has been excavated from Sichuan province. It is made from a reddish pottery and is highly detailed. Such figures are usually referred to as farmers, although during this period Sichuan farmers were also called upon by their masters to become soldiers when required. As well as holding a long-handled spade in one hand and a winnowing tray in t...

This tall pottery figure was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and has been excavated from Sichuan province. It is made from a reddish pottery and is highly detailed. Such figures are usually referred to as farmers, although during this period Sichuan farmers were also called upon by their masters to become soldiers when required. As well as holding a spade in one hand and a winnowing tray in the other, he ...

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 iron axe head or chisel dates to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). Surviving iron objects of this age are very rare. This example does of course have rust and corrosion, there is a small part missing at the open end together with some cracks, but it is free from restoration or repair. Length 15.5 cm (6 inches). Please note that this object has not been treated in any way and should be handled carefully - a s...

This iron axe head or chisel dates to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). Surviving iron objects of this age are very rare. This example does of course have rust and corrosion, and a small chip to the edge of the open end. It is free from restoration or repair. Length 15.5 cm (6 inches).  Please note that this object has not been treated in any way and should be handled carefully.

This is one of two almost ide...

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 b...

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 superb and impressive pottery jar (hu) was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is made from a fairly high-fired reddish pottery and coated in a particularly attractive streaky green and finely-crackled glaze, the colour of which varies according to its thickness. Interestingly, the drips of glaze to the mouth rim and the pooling of glaze to the flat base show that this jar was fired upsid...

This large stoneware jar, of the type often referred to as "proto-porcelain", dates to the latter part of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). The upper body, and inner mouth, are coated with an attractive olive-green glaze that is very finely-crackled. The unglazed neck and lower body have fired to varying shades of reddish-brown. To the upper and lower neck are bands of impressed wavy lines. On opposing sides a...

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 ...