Fine LARGE Chinese Neolithic Painted Pottery Jar - Machang (Liuwan type) with Oxford TL Test

This large and impressive 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 "heavily-potted" and relatively highly-fired. This jar has a wide body with two sturdy loop handles on opposing sides at its waist...

Fine Large Chinese Qianlong 18th Century Imari Porcelain Dish

This fine-quality porcelain dish with attractive floral pattern in underglaze blue, red enamel and gilding, was made during the 18th century, most likely during the Qianlong reign (1736 - 1795). There is a brown iron wash around the rim edge to prevent "fritting" of the glaze during firing. There is no restoration or repair, no cracks and the dish has a good ring when tapped; it is in fine condition...

Fine Large Chinese Warring States Pottery Jar (475 - 221 BC)

This attractively-shaped 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 flat base and the lower body has lightly incised lines around it. At the waist and above are several ridges and bands, within which are burnished lines forming geometric patterns...

Fine Tall Chinese Early Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Figure / Groom

This rare and interesting pottery model of a foreign groom was made in the early part of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from dense solid pottery (as opposed to being hollow as are the majority of Tang figures). The figure stands upright with his head turned to his right. His left hand is placed against his chest whilst his right arm and hand are outstretched...

Fine Tall Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery "Stick" Girl

This fine and rare painted pottery figure 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...

Group of Four Chinese Three Kingdoms Glazed Pottery Entertainers with Oxford TL Test

This very rare group of glazed pottery entertainers was made during the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220 - 265) or possibly the earlier Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). The group comprises two female figures and two male figures. They are made from a reddish-brown pottery and coated in an amber coloured glaze that is slightly crackled...

Rare Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl - Dragon, Phoenix, Fish, Peony

This rare and unusual "Swatow" (or "Zhangzhou") blue & white porcelain bowl was made during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1573 - 1620). The underglaze blue decoration around the outer wall features a dragon, a phoenix and a peony. The inner design features a leaping fish amongst waves. Within the recessed base is a simple character or mark. It is coated in a thick glaze...

Large Chinese Neolithic Machang Painted Pottery Jar (c. 2300 - 2000 BC)

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 made from a yellowish-brown pottery that has been relatively highly-fired. It is a well-made jar of good proportions. At the waist of its wide body are two sturdy loop handles...

Large Chinese Neolithic Machang Phase Painted Pottery Jar (c. 2300 - 2000 BC)

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 made from a pale yellowish-brown pottery. It is of quite an unusual form, a wide body with two sturdy loop handles, a tall narrow neck and a flared mouth...

Large Chinese Neolithic Painted Pottery Jar - Machang (c. 2300 - 2000 BC)

This large pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago during the Machang Phase (c...

Large Chinese Neolithic Painted Pottery Jar - Machang (c. 2300 - 2000 BC)

This large and impressive 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. The pottery is an attractive pale orange/brown colour and it is relatively highly-fired. It is quite "heavily-potted" with a well-rounded body, two sturdy loop handles and flared mouth. The upper bod...

Large Chinese Warring States Impressed Pottery jar (475 - 221 BC)

This large pottery jar was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is made from a high-fired pale orange-brown pottery, the surface colour of which varies in places. It is of globular form with quite a wide mouth. The whole outer surface has been decorated with repeated impressed geometric patterns comprising vertical and horizontal lines.

Diameter 39 cm (15.25 inches), height 33 cm (13 inches). Overall co...

Large Chinese Yuan Dynasty Blue & White Jar with Cover - Oxford TL Test

This large and rare early underglazed jar, complete with cover, was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) at one of the kilns at Yuxi in Yunnan province. Although classed as "blue & white" ware, the colour of the underglaze cobalt blue does vary in places and the clear glaze is distinctly greenish in colour. Already a very rare type of jar, the "Three Friends of Winter" pattern around the shoulder makes it even r...

Larger Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl - Phoenix - Mark & Period

This attractive flared-rim porcelain bowl was made during the latter part of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The underglaze blue decoration around the outer wall features two phoenixes in flight with their long tails. They are surrounded by a scrolling floral pattern. Around the inner rim is a key-fret band and in the centre of the bowl is another floral pattern. To the base is the four character "Tai Ming" mar...

A Pair of Chinese Sui Dynasty Glazed Pottery Ladies with Oxford TL Test

This wonderful pair of ladies was made during the Sui Dynasty (AD 581 - 618). They are made from a creamy-white pottery and coated in an attractive pale yellow/straw glaze that is finely-crackled. Note the detail to the clothing, the hairstyle and especially the faces: exquisite !

These are from a long-established private English collection and come with a custom-made display stand. They are not perfect condition, bu...

Rare Chinese Han Dynasty Large Glazed Pottery Ding Tripod - Dragons

This very rare and unusual example of a ding tripod was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) from a fairly high-fired pale reddish-brown pottery. It is extremely "heavily-potted" and unusually tall. It is coated in a streaky green glaze, the colour of which varies due to runs and variations in its thickness. In places the glaze has acquired a silvery iridescence, especially where thin, a result of exposure to mo...

Rare Chinese Neolithic Pottery Tripod - Qijia Culture

This rare pottery tripod ("li") was made some 4,000 years ago. Although similar vessels were made by various Chinese Neolithic cultures, we believe this particular example to have been made by potters of the Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC). The form is of a cooking vessel and the three wide udder-shaped legs allow it to be stood in a fire with as much heat as possible being transmitted to the contents inside the vessel. Such tripods are...

Rare Chinese Northern Zhou Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider

This attractive pottery model of a horse and rider was made during the Northern Zhou Dynasty (AD 557 - 581). It is made from a relatively high-fired reddish pottery that has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment on top of which have been applied red, pink and black pigments. The rider is a musician, a drummer, and is in the act of beating his drum. Interestingly in both clasped hands can be seen the faint remains ...