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 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 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 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 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 Liu Yin, one of the stories of the twenty-four paragons of filial piety:  

Liu Yin lived in the Western Jin period. One winter when he was nine, his mother lost her appetite because she longed to eat jin, which was impossible to obtain in winter...

This attractive pottery model of a cloaked and hooded rider was made in the 6th Century during either the Eastern Wei Dynasty (AD 534 - 550) or the following Northern Qi Dynasty (AD 550 - 577). Pottery horses from this period have a distinct style different to the more common and later Tang Dynasty equivalents.

It has been made from a fine-grained grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a creamy-white pigment with details pic...

This attractive pottery model of a cloaked and hooded rider was made in the 6th Century during either the Eastern Wei Dynasty (AD 534 - 550) or the following Northern Qi Dynasty (AD 550 - 577). Pottery horses from this period have a distinct style different to the more common and later Tang Dynasty equivalents.

It has been made from a fine-grained grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a creamy-white pigment with details pic...

This attractive pottery model of a cloaked and hooded rider was made in the 6th Century during either the Eastern Wei Dynasty (AD 534 - 550) or the following Northern Qi Dynasty (AD 550 - 577). Pottery horses from this period have a distinct style different to the more common and later Tang Dynasty equivalents.

It has been made from a fine-grained grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a creamy-white pigment with details pic...

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 rare and interesting pottery model of a pack horse, or pony, was made during the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386 - 534). It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" with a base coat of white pigment on top of which has been applied black pigment. Note the detail of the pack on its back that includes two water containers and a rabbit.

Height 25.5 cm, length 29.5 cm. It is in good condition. There is s...

This pottery model of a saddled horse was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is "heavily-potted" and made from a reddish pottery that is relatively highly-fired. The horse stands alert with its head head up and turned to its left. Its legs are spaced as though in the act of walking, as opposed to standing upright and still, as are the majority of Tang Dynasty pottery horses. The surface has been "cold painted" in a cream...

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 fine and rare pottery model of a foreigner was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a red pottery that has been cold-painted in a thick white pigment with the facial details picked out in red and black pigments. This elegant figure, a groom, stands with his shoulders raised, head raised and turned to his right, one hand outstretched. Note the detail of the clothing, the headgear and especiall...

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 fine-quality pair of highly decorative pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). They are made from a grey pottery and the decoration in relief features a pair of deer in a landscape. Note the detail to the deer, the carved and incised decoration as well as the impressed flower blossoms to the deers' bodies. The relief decoration has been cold-painted in various coloured pigments, good traces o...

These interesting pottery tiles with the subjects depicted in high relief with very good detail were made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) or possibly the early part of the following Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). They are made from a high-fired grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments. Each tile depicts a scene from a story of the paragons of filial piet...

These interesting pottery tiles with the subjects depicted in high relief were made during the Jin Dynasty (AD 1115 - 1234). They are made from quite a high-fired grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments. Each tile depicts a scene from a story of the paragons of filial piety. Together they depict a total of thirty-four human figures (men, women and children)...

This exceptional pair of pottery horses was made during the early Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). They are finely-modelled and "full of life", both in the act of walking. One has its right leg forward with head turned to its left, the other has its left leg forward with its head turned a little to its right. Each has a separately-made rider seated on a saddle, one male, one female, tha...

This fine and impressive pottery model of a horse was made during the early Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is "heavily-potted" and made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been cold-painted in a creamy-white pigment with small amounts of red pigment in places, such as within the nostrils. On its back is a large saddle, made separately, that can be removed. This is a strong horse giving an impressio...

This impressive and imposing pair of pottery figures was made during the early Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). They are "heavily-potted" and made from a fine-grained pale grey pottery. They have been "cold-painted" in a base coat of creamy-white pigment with faint traces of red and black pigments in places.

These figures represent a pair of foreign grooms and have been made with great attention to de...

This impressive and imposing pair of pottery figures was made during the early Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). They are "heavily-potted" and made from a fairly high-fired pale greyish-brown pottery. They have been "cold-painted" in a base coat of creamy-white pigment with details picked out on top in red and black pigments, especially to the heads and faces.

These figures represent a pair of foreign ...

One of the most desirable and collectable form of pottery sculpture from ancient China is, of course, the female courtier, or "fat lady", from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). This exceptional example, with a height of 43 cm, is considerably larger than most known Tang dynasty "fat ladies". She wears a voluminous robe with long sleeves, her right hand raised and held across her stomach, her feet protruding from the hem...

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 attractively-shaped pottery vessel with its flared foot and pear-shaped body was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is "heavily-potted", made from a fine-grained grey pottery and has a smooth burnished surface. The surface colour varies a little in places from pale to dark grey due to uneven conditions during firing. Although not immediately obvious, the outer wall of the body has been lightly deco...

This attractively-shaped pottery vessel with its flared foot and pear-shaped body was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is "heavily-potted", made from a fine-grained grey pottery and has a smooth burnished surface. Although not immediately obvious, the outer wall of the cover has been lightly decorated with thin lightly incised or polished bands.

Height 16 cm. It is in very good condition and has n...

This attractively-shaped bottle, with its wide body, constricted neck, and wide mouth, was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is "heavily-potted" and made from a fine-grained grey pottery with a smooth burnished surface..

Height 14 cm. Overall condition is very good although there is what appears to be a filled firing crack to the shoulder of the bottle.  

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This large and attractive pottery jar was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is made from quite a high-fired grey pottery. It has wide globular body and a short flared out neck. The outer surface below the rim has been attractively "textured" with the pattern "spiralling" downwards from the mouth to around the waist where the impression are then more horizontal.

Diameter 38 cm (15 inches), height...

This large and attractive pottery jar was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is made from quite a high-fired grey pottery. It has wide globular body and a short flared out neck. The outer surface below the shoulder has been decorated with repeated impressed geometric patterns comprising, at the top of each impression, two horizontal lines below which are many vertical lines. In places on the surface are f...

This large and attractive pottery jar was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is made from quite a high-fired pale grey pottery the colour of which has fired to a pale pinkish-brown in places. It has an unusual wide mouth with a flat rim. The whole outer surface has been decorated with repeated impressed geometric patterns comprising, at the top of each impression, two horizontal lines ...

This large and attractive pottery jar was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is fairly "heavily-potted" and made from quite a high-fired pale grey pottery the surface of which has fired to a dark reddish-brown in places. It has an unusual wide mouth with a flat rim. The whole outer surface has been decorated with repeated impressed geometric patterns comprising, at the top of each impression, two horizont...

This exceptionally large and impressive 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 wide mouth with a thick rolled rim. It is decorated simply, yet effectively, with raised bands surrounding the body just above its waist. Just above the concave base is a small purpose-ma...

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 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 sturdy storage jar dates to the 12th - 14th centuries. It is quite "heavily-potted" and has a rolled rim with four loo-handles speared equidistant around the shoulder. The streaky yellowish-brown glaze falls short of the unglazed base. Most likely it was made for export to south-east Asia.

Height 15.5 cm. There is an old crack to the mouth that has been stabilised; otherwise it is in good condition.

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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 ...

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 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 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 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 ...

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 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 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...

Many years ago we bought a small group of jars of this type. We were told they dated to the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) and had been in storage, having several years earlier been recovered from a shipwreck off Thailand. To the base of each jar is written an inventory number (we were told around 200 of these jars were excavated but how accurate this is, we do not know). Around the neck of each jar is a cardboard label (with a rusting metal...

Many years ago we bought a small group of jars of this type. We were told they dated to the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) and had been in storage, having several years earlier been recovered from a shipwreck off Thailand. To the base of each jar is written an inventory number (we were told around 200 of these jars were excavated but how accurate this is, we do not know). Around the neck of each jar is a cardboard label (with a rusting metal...

This large and impressive pottery jar was made around the 13th / 14th century, during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) or the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Until recent years, this type of jar was almost unknown in the west with some people initially attributing them to the Liao Dynasty (same general period but in the north of China). These jars are now known to have originated from Yunnan province in the south-west of China.

It is ...

This pottery horse was made during the early part of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It stands upright with its head turned very slightly to its left. It is made from a buff-coloured pottery and is particularly "heavily-potted". Looking inside the body shows it was made in a two-piece mould. It has been "cold painted" in a base coat of a creamy-white pigment with details picked out in red and black pigments. In the top of the head ar...

This attractively-shaped pottery jar, or cup, 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. It is made from a fine-grained grey pottery that is fairly highly-fired. There are two "strap" handles joined at the waist and mouth edge. The surface has been burnished making it smooth to the touch. This form is typical of sma...

This fine-quality pair of highly decorative pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). They are made from a grey pottery and the decoration in relief features a pair of deer in a landscape. Note the detail to the deer, the carved and incised decoration as well as the impressed flower blossoms to the deers' bodies. The relief decoration has been cold-painted in various coloured pigments, good traces o...

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 large pottery model of an ox, or bull, was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is made from a relatively high-fired grey pottery which has made it much more durable than lower-fired examples.

Length 36 cm (14 inches), height 21 cm (8.25 inches). It is in outstanding condition; although one horn appears to have been broken and re-stuck, there is no obvious sign of any other restoration or repa...

This rare pottery dish, or shallow bowl, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). Most known Han Dynasty pottery objects tend to be jars or figures with dishes and bowls being quite rare. This is quite a large dish with a diameter of 25 cm. It is made from a dark grey pottery that is relatively highly-fired. The inner surface has been painted with a pattern featuring three fish surrounded by simple bands and ge...

This large and impressive pottery jar of exceptional form was made during the Five Dynasties period (AD 907 - 960) or possible the early part of the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). It is a wide-bodied jar with sturdy handles and quite a small flat base, an unusual form for this period. Its form is reminiscent of some Han Dynasty pottery jars of around a thousand years earlier, although this jar is much more "...

This rare and unusual pottery model of an ox, or bull, was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a pale pinkish-coloured pottery that is quite highly-fired, having an almost "metallic" ring to it when tapped. Tang pottery items made from a creamy or pink coloured pottery are rarer and often considered finer than the more "common" dark reddish pottery.

It is a muscular looking bull, with its head down ...

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 pottery "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. It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery and has been decorated by "cold painting" a variety of different coloured pigments in a design feat...

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...