Large Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Incised Pottery Buddhist Jar

This rare pottery jar was made in the 12th / 13th century during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) and has been been excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province.

It is made from a buff-coloured pottery and is of globular form standing on an integral foot. Both cover and jar are decorated with incised lines, on the jar forming lotus leaf panels. Some of the lines on both the...

Large Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Incised Pottery Buddhist Jar

This rare pottery jar was made in the 12th / 13th century during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) and has been been excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province.

It is made from a buff-coloured pottery and is of globular form standing on an integral foot. Both cover and jar are decorated with bands of incised parallel lines, on the jar forming lotus leaf shapes. Some of the...

Pair Chinese Ming Dynasty Painted Pottery Tile - Ox / Moon

This fine pair of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). They are made of a dense grey pottery and have been painted in black pigment. Each tile features, in high relief and in good detail, a recumbent long-horned ox, or cow, looking up at the moon. Mounted and lit well, these tiles make superb decorative items. 

The total length when both tiles are placed together is 52.5 cm (20.5 inches), height 25.5 ...

Pair Chinese Ming Dynasty Painted Pottery Tiles - Horses

This fine pair of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). They are made of a dense grey pottery and have been painted in black pigment. Each tile features, in high relief and in great detail, a flying horse surrounded by clouds. Mounted and lit well, these tiles make superb decorative items. 

The total length when both tiles are placed together is 51.5 cm (20.25 inches), height 25.5 cm 10 inches). Conditio...

Chinese Eastern Zhou Cord-Impressed Pottery Jar (770 - 221 BC)

This fine pottery jar was made during the Eastern Zhou period (770 - 221 BC). It is made from a relatively highly-fired fine grey pottery. It has a round base that has been decorated with cord impressions that are particularly crisp. On opposing sides of the shoulder are small square-cut handles. The neck is slightly ridged for additional decoration and it has a flared mouth. 

Height 18.5 cm (7.25 inches). Condition is very ...

Large Chinese Neolithic Machang Phase Painted Pottery Jar - Liuwan Type

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 relatively highly-fired and made from a pale yellowish-brown pottery. It has an unusually small neck compared to its large body size. As usual with this type of large Machang jar, on opposing sides just below ...

Large Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Sheep Jar

This large and unusual pottery vessel in the form of a recumbent ram was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It has a thick cylindrical neck on its back quite a wide opening. Possible this vessel was used as base for the pole of a banner or screen support. Traces of the original "cold painted" coloured pigments can be seen.

Length 41 cm (16 inches), height 18.5 cm (7.25 inches). Overall condition is good; there is some loss o...

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. The elaborate painted geometric patterns coveri...

Set of Chinese Ming Dynasty Painted Pottery Tiles - Lotus Blossoms

This highly decorative set of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). They are made from a dense, quiet highly-fired grey pottery and comprise three tiles, the left and right tiles being very elaborately decorated with lotus buds and blossoms in high relief, together with a central spacer tile. These tiles have been "cold painted", in places the background with a black pigment, but the decorative element...

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

This fine example of a painted pottery tripod, most likely a steamer, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is a large example of its type, made from a fine-grained grey pottery and relatively highly-fired, having a distinct ring when tapped. The body stands on three long curved legs that have been luted to the surface. It has a wide ridge surrounding the body that allows the upper part to be place...

Rare Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty Painted Pottery Pack Horse (AD 386 - 534)

This very rare pottery model of a pack horse, or pony, was made during the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386 - 534). It is made from a grey pottery that has been "cold painted" with traces of red and white pigments remaining. Note the detail of the saddle bags and pack. Interestingly, on the surface of the back left hoof is a heavy rust deposit suggesting this horse lay alongside an iron object during its long burial. ...

Chinese Tang Dynasty White Pottery Horse & Rider

This unusual model of a horse & rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a creamy-white pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments. Note the detail of the overweight rider's clothing and hairstyle.

Height 33.5cm (13 inches). This is a rare and interesting example of Tang Dynasty equestrian pottery sculpture in good presentable condition with signs of the usual and expected repairs to t...

Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider

This attractive 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 has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment on top of which have been applied various coloured pigments. The rider is a musician, a drummer, and is in the act of beating his drum. Interestingly in his left clasped hand can be seen the faint remains of rusted iron, the remains of a miniat...

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...

Rare Large Chinese Neolithic Pottery Jar - Caiyuan Culture

This fine and attractively-shaped pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Caiyuan Culture (c. 2600 - 2200 BC) and has been excavated from the Ningxia Autonomous Region in the north of China. It is finely-potted with a wide body that tapers down to a relatively small base and one handle from the shoulder to the flared mouth. The upper surface has been burnished smooth. 

Height 29 cm (11.5 inches), diameter 27 ...

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

This twin-handled 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 relatively highly-fired and, therefore, more durable than lower-fired examples. The inside of the mouth and the upper body have been coated in a reddish-brown wash on top of which have been painted geometr...

LARGE Chinese Neolithic Pottery Jar - Caiyuan Culture (c. 2600 - 2200 BC)

This large and impressive pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago by peoples of the Caiyuan Culture (c. 2600 - 2200 BC) and has been excavated from the Ningxia Autonomous Region in the north of China. It is relatively highly-fired and has been fired to a very pleasing pale yellowish-brown colour. The upper surface has been burnished and is smooth to the touch. The lower surface has been simply yet effectively decora...

Rare Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider with Oxford TL Test

This very rare pottery model of a horse & rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). The body of the horse, complete with the rider, has been made in a two-piece mould. the join running along the horse's neck and back and the sides of the rider. Note the detail of the rider, his clothing and his hands. Note also the sturdy legs of the horse and the way the tail joins the cut-out base to give extra strengt...