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. Her hands are clearly held together across her chest beneath her ...

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. He stands as if in attendance awaiting instructions! On the surface in places, particularly to the back, are mi...

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. Note the detail of the clothing, the headgear and especiall...

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. The body of the horse has been "cold-painted" in a bas...

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. Note the clothing of the rider, especially the head covering.

Height 35 cm (13...

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...

DESCRIPTION: An antique Chinese boxwood toggle (Guajian) carved as a pair of men’s shoes resting side by side, a symbol of marital harmony and the wish for many sons. The shoes are elaborately carved with hollowed interior, relief banding, and incised designs on all sides including the soles. A hole running through the inner sides of each shoe forms the track used for threading cords from which this toggle would have been suspended as a counterweight to some other object. An outstanding ex...

A finely executed painting in gouache and ink, with few raised details in white, on embossed paper by the British manufacturer Henry Dobbs. Showing a Manchurian lady, playing a small drum. Mounted in a blue passe-partout. Dimension: painting: 23.5 cm x 17.3 cm, paper: 38.8 cm x 30.5 cm. Condition: fine, one tiny stain. Please see also SK 989.

A finely executed painting in gouache and ink, on embossed paper by the British manufacturer Henry Dobbs. Showing a girl with lotus feet, embroidering a silk yardage. Mounted in a blue passe-partout. Dimension: painting: 23.5 cm x 17.3 cm, paper: 38.8 cm x 30.5 cm. Condition: fine, only one tiny stain. Please see also SK 988.

Fine Chinese Warring States / Western Han Dynasty Pottery Jar

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...

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 Chinese Western Han Dynasty Pottery Ding Tripod (206 BC - AD 8)

This fine-quality pottery vessel, complete with its original cover, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a fine-grained grey pottery and quite highly-fired, both vessel and cover each having a distinct ring when tapped. This vessel, a ding, has sturdy square-cut handles and stands on three feet. The cover has a raised circular band on its top allowing it to be turned upside-down and used ...

Fine Chinese Western Han Dynasty Round Pottery Box (206 BC - AD 8)

This fine-quality round pottery box, complete with original cover, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a fine-grained grey pottery and quite highly-fired, both box and cover having a distinct ring when tapped. The design of this box is very simple yet also elegant and pleasing to the eye. Its purpose was that of a food container.

This is quite a large vessel with a diameter of 20.5 cm ...