Chinese Western Han Dynasty Incised & Burnished Pottery Cocoon Jar

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. The jar is fairly "heavily-potted" and has quite a wide foot with a neck and flared mouth...

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...

A Fine Pair of Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Male & Female Painted Pottery Figures with Oxford TL Tests

This fine and impressive matching pair of male and female figures was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). They are made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in coloured pigments. They are similarly dressed in long-sleeved robes...

Rare Chinese Neolithic Twin-Handled Pottery Jar - Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC)

This rare pottery jar 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. They produced a variety of pottery vessels including cord-impressed pottery of many shapes and sizes as well as higher-fired jars such as this...

Chinese Neolithic Xindian Culture Painted Pottery Jar

This rare pottery jar was made around 3,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Xindian culture (c. 1200 - 500 BC). The Xindian culture is a relatively late Neolithic culture and overlaps with the Chinese Bronze Age. Xindian pottery is rarer and generally less refined, more coarse and brittle than pottery from some earlier Chinese Neolithic cultures. 

The lower body is quite wide and there is a tall neck ending with a flared mouth...

Rare Chinese Neolithic Xindian Culture Pottery Jar

This rare pottery jar was made around 3,000 years ago by peoples of the Neolithic Xindian culture (c. 1200 - 500 BC). The Xindian culture is a relatively late Neolithic culture and overlaps with the Chinese Bronze Age. Xindian pottery is rarer and generally less refined, more coarse and brittle than pottery from some earlier Chinese Neolithic cultures. This jar, however, is well-made and of an attractive form...

Fine Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier (with impressed seal)

This impressive pottery model of a warrior was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a dense grey pottery and quite highly-fired. He stands alert with his right hand raised. The pack on his back, a container for arrows, shows that he is an archer...

Fine Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier (with stand)

This impressive pottery model of a warrior was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a dense grey pottery and quite highly-fired. He stands alert with his right hand raised. The pack on his back, a container for arrows, shows that he is an archer. In the hands would originally have been placed a miniature wooden shield and weapon, now long since rotted away and lost...

Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Burnished Black Pottery Groom Figure (32.5cm)

This impressive and attractive pottery figure was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Such figures from the Yuan Dynasty are very distinctive and are particularly rare and desirable. The surface of such Yuan figures is typically fired to grey, or almost black, and sometimes, as in this case, burnished to a smooth finish.

This figure represents a groom or possibly a merchant...

Rare Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Pottery Money Tree Base (AD 25 - 220)

This very rare and unusual moulded pottery object was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). It is the base to a "money tree" and has been excavated from Sichuan province. The coin-shedding, or money, tree is known from late Han Dynasty funerary art from the south-west of China. It was believed that if shaken, coins would fall from it...

Very Rare Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Stone Toad Money Tree Base (AD 25 - 220)

This extremely rare toad-shaped pedestal, or base, for the legendary coin-shedding tree dates to the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and has been excavated from Sichuan province. The coin-shedding, or money, tree is known from late Han Dynasty funerary art from the south-west of China. It was believed that if shaken, coins would fall from it. The money tree itself would comprise a bronze trunk, or pole, to which...

Rare Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Pottery Money Tree Base (AD 25 - 220)

This very rare and large moulded pottery object was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). It is the base to a "money tree" and has been excavated from Sichuan province. The coin-shedding, or money tree is known from late Han Dynasty funerary art from the south-west of China. It was believed that if shaken, coins would fall from it. The money tree itself would comprise a bronze trunk, or pole, to which were at...

Fine LARGE Chinese Neolithic Banpo Cord-Impressed Pottery Amphora with Oxford TL Test

This fine and incredibly ancient pottery vessel was made over 6,000 years ago during the Banpo phase (c. 4800 - 4300 BC) of the Yangshao culture in present-day Shaanxi province. This form is probably the most well-known of Banpo pottery, if not of all Chinese Neolithic pottery, and no serious collection of Chinese ceramics should be without an example!

It has a tall cup-shaped mouth and a pointed base....

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...

Chinese Neolithic Twin-Handled Pottery Jar - Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC)

This attractively-shaped pottery jar 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 very thinly-potted and quite highly-fired, having an almost "metallic" ring to it when tapped. There are two "strap" handles joined at the waist and mouth edge. Much of the upper surface is coated with a thin layer of "calcified" s...

Chinese Neolithic Twin-Handled Pottery Jar - Qijia Culture (c. 2050 - 1700 BC)

This attractively-shaped pottery jar 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 pale buff-coloured 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. The pottery at the constricted neck...

Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Figure

This pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It represents a male figure wearing a hooded cloak. It is "heavily-potted" and has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments, traces of which still remain. Height 19.5 cm. Very faint signs of possible repair at the waist.

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Fine Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Cocoon Jar

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...