Rare Chinese Warring States Covered Pottery Stem Jar (475 - 221 BC)

This attractively-shaped pottery vessel with its flared foot and pear-shaped body was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is "heavily-potted", made from a fine-grained grey pottery and has a smooth burnished surface. Although not immediately obvious, the outer wall of the cover has been lightly decorated with thin lightly incised or polished bands.

Height 16 cm...

Rare Chinese Warring States Covered Pottery Stem Jar (475 - 221 BC)

This attractively-shaped pottery vessel with its flared foot and pear-shaped body was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is "heavily-potted", made from a fine-grained grey pottery and has a smooth burnished surface. The surface colour varies a little in places from pale to dark grey due to uneven conditions during firing...

Rare Chinese Warring States Small Painted Pottery Dog (Toy)

This very rare pottery animal, that we assume to be a dog, was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is made from a grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in creamy-white and pale red pigments. It simplicity and small size suggests it made have been made as child's toy.

Length 9.5 cm (3.55 inches)...

Rare Chinese Warring States Small Pottery Bottle / Vase (475 - 221 BC)

This attractively-shaped bottle, with its wide body, constricted neck, and wide mouth, was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is "heavily-potted" and made from a fine-grained grey pottery with a smooth burnished surface..

Height 14 cm...

Rare Chinese Warring States / Western Han Glazed Stoneware Jar

This rare and unusual jar dates to the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC) or possibly the early part of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from high-fired grey stoneware of the type sometimes called "proto-porcelain". The glaze, a dark green ash glaze, is quite patchy and its thickness varies. The shoulder and waist are decorated with bands of lightly incised wavy parallel lines...

Rare Chinese Western Han Dynasty Bronze Cauldron / Jar

This domestic bronze cooking vessel was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) or possibly earlier. The bottom half is semi-spherical, designed to sit in a fire; indeed there are still remains of carbon deposits to the base. It has two handles that are of differing sizes. It is puzzling that it would have been made with different sized handles, although there is no obvious sign that either have been added later...

Rare Chinese Western Han Dynasty Bronze Cauldron / Jar

This domestic bronze cooking vessel was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) or possibly earlier. It has two handles on opposing sides of the shoulder. It is quite "heavily-cast" and the casting lines are quite pronounced, especially across the flat base. There is some corrosion, mostly to the base where it comprises mostly malachite (green) and azurite (blue)...

Rare Chinese Western Han Dynasty Iron Chisel / Axe Head (206 BC - AD 8)

This iron axe head or chisel dates to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). Surviving iron objects of this age are very rare. This example does of course have rust and corrosion, and a small chip to the edge of the open end. It is free from restoration or repair...

Rare Chinese Western Han Dynasty Iron Chisel / Axe Head (206 BC - AD 8)

This iron axe head or chisel dates to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). Surviving iron objects of this age are very rare. This example does of course have rust and corrosion, there is a small part missing at the open end together with some cracks, but it is free from restoration or repair...

Rare Chinese Western Han Dynasty Small Bronze Ding

This bronze tripod vessel (ding) was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). The vessel stands on three simple short legs and has two sturdy handles on opposing sides. The vessel is holed in places and has fairly heavy corrosion, mostly azurite (blue), but also malachite (green) and cuprite (brown). Across the base is the mould casting line. Diameter 13.25 cm...

Rare Chinese Western Zhou Dynasty Bronze Chariot Bell

This rare and interesting bronze bell was made during the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 1100 - 771 BC). It would have originally been fitted to a horse-drawn chariot, ringing constantly as the chariot went along...

A beautiful rare etched paitong basin depicting court ladies playing chess in the center. Around the inside of the basin there are scenes of scholars, artists, falconer etc. Around the inside edge is etched the "shou" characters representing good luck and fortune. Size: Diameter: 42.5cm. Condition: No repairs. A small casting crack on the inside that does not go all the way through.

An unusual and rare unique Han white stone pendant with various colors in the stone, carved in a most interesting way. There are two old beads with the stone,the red one Ming and the other Tang. Age: Han Dynasty - 206BC - 220 AD. Size: L. 4cm. W. 3cm. Condition: Very good. No repairs or cracks.

A rare wooden Buddha in a seated position on a lotus pedestal. The face is serenely contemplative and the robe is carved to show the gathered folds. Wooden Buddhas from this period are very difficult to find. This Buddha has a natural, calming presence.

Period: Yuan/Ming or earlier

Size: Height = 31 cm., Width at base = 18 cm.

Condition: The wood has shrinkage and cracks from age. The right ear and fingers of the left hand are missing. (see photos) A part of one of th...

Qing Dynasty opium den lamp made with burner bowl. This style lamp was used to illuminate Chinese opium dens and was often their only source of lighting. These lamps were also used to heat the opium tar housed at the end of a long opium pipes. The burner bowl is stoneware with the inside glazed to hold the oil and wick (wick is new). The base for the burner is made of split bamboo. Opium lamps made of wood are extremely hard to find. In very good original condition, it measures 12” high ...

A unique piece of zitan wood used as a sample for the scholar's woodworker. This piece is unusual as it shows a very light color of the zitan wood which is probably close to the bark area. There are two holes drilled in the piece for attaching a string for hanging. This piece weighs 550 grams. This is a great item for the zitan collector. Size: L.17.3cm. W.10.3cm. H.2.4cm. Condition: No repairs.

Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Black Pottery Horse

This small and attractive pottery model of a horse was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from a black pottery with a smooth burnished surface. Note the detail to its mane. Pottery horses from the Yuan dynasty are much rarer than those from other periods.

Height 17 cm, length 20 cm. It is in good presentable condition, although there is restoration to the tail and ears, also a minor repair to ...

Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Burnished Black Pottery Bowl

We have recently been lucky enough to have acquired a collection of very rare examples of burnished black pottery items made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Such items are relatively unknown and very little has been published about them. They are found in the northern provinces, particularly Gansu province in the north-west.

This bowl is fairly thinly-potted and has a flared rim and quite a sturdy foot. Diameter 12.25 cm. ...