Fine Chinese Ming Dynasty Painted Pottery Mandarin Tile

This attractive and very detailed pottery tile depicting a mandarin (Chinese official) was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It is made from a dense grey pottery. The mandarin wears a flowing robe, belted across his waist, with his badge of rank in the centre of his chest. In his left hand is what appears to be a hu (audience tablet) and in his right hand an object upon which appears to be a small animal...

Fine Chinese Ming Dynasty Painted Pottery Mandarin Tile

This attractive and very detailed pottery tile depicting a mandarin (Chinese official) was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It is made from a dense grey pottery. The mandarin wears a flowing robe, belted across his waist, with his badge of rank in the centre of his chest. In his right hand is what appears to be a hu (audience tablet) and in his left hand an object upon which is a small animal...

Fine & Rare Chinese Northern Dynasties Painted Pottery Kneeling Camel with Oxford TL Test

This fine and very rare pottery model of a kneeling camel, laden with saddle bags, was made during the Eastern Wei Dynasty (AD 534 - 550) or the following Northern Qi Dynasty (AD 550 - 577). It is made from a pale greyish-brown pottery that is fairly highly-fired. It has been "cold painted" in a base coat of a creamy-white pigment with details picked out in brown, red and black pigments...

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Horse & "Fat Man" Rider with Oxford TL Test

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...

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Camel with Oxford TL Test

This fine pottery model of a camel, laden with saddle bags, was made during the early Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906) or possibly a little earlier. It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in a white pigment. The camel stands upright and alert with its mouth open and its head turned to its left. On its back is a set of saddle bags that include a blanket, ducks and what appears to be a rabbit...

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Female Courtier ("Fat Lady") AD 618 - 906

Perhaps the most desirable and collectable pottery sculpture from the Tang Dynasty is the female courtier, or "fat lady". This fine example was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906).

The lady stands with her head turned a little to her left and tilted slightly at a quizzical" angle. She is wearing a particularly voluminous long robe...

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Figure (AD 618 - 906)

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...

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Foreigner with Oxford TL Test

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...

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider

This fine 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 is relatively highly-fired. It is finely-modelled with the horse standing alert, its head turned to its left. The rider sits, leaning back slightly, with his arms held out as though holding the reins of the horse; note his clothing and head gear...

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider

This attractive pottery model of a horse & rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a relatively highly-fired pottery that has been "cold painted" in various different coloured pigments. The horse stands alert with its head turned a little to its left. The riders sits erect with his hands held out as though holding the reins...

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse with Female Rider

This pottery model of a horse and equestrian was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). Although many examples of horses with riders are known from the Tang Dynasty, few are as attractive and elegant as this particular example. It is made from a creamy-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments. The female rider sits upright with her hands together in a demure posture; note the details of ...

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Female Courtier ("Fat Lady") with Oxford TL Test - AD 618 - 906

Arguably the most desirable pottery sculpture from the Tang Dynasty is the female courtier, or "fat lady". This figure was made around the mid 8th century and is a particularly elegant example. The lady stands with her hands clasped together under her flowing robe and her head turned a little to the left. Note also the elaborate hairstyle. It is relatively highly-fired and made from a bu...

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Saddled Horse with Oxford TL Test

This fine-quality pottery model of a horse was made during the early part of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a relatively highly-fired pale-coloured pottery, varying from a pale grey to a pinkish-brown in colour (this colour variation is often seen with earthenware that is more highly-fired than other pieces). It has been "cold-painted" in various coloured pigments. The two pigments that have survived the most are t...

A Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Sancai Glazed Pottery Groom with Oxford TL Test

This very fine pottery model of a foreign groom was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a highly-fired white pottery that has been coated in different coloured glazes, as well as the facial features being finished in cold-painted coloured pigments. The figure has a beard and moustache and wears a flowing cloak with distinctive head gear. His right arm is raised as though holding the reigns of...

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

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...

Fine Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Groom Figure

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

Height 25.5 cm. I...

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

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...

Fine Large Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Sichuan Pottery Musician / Entertainer

This pottery model of a musician was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and excavated from Sichuan province. It is made from a reddish pottery and quite "heavily-potted". A variety of figures of this general type are well documented. They are often musicians and entertainers, and were made in a variety of sizes, the smallest being around 15cm in height. This particularly example is much larger with a...