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...

Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Painted Pottery Tiles - Birds & Flower Blossoms

This very attractive pair of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). They are made from a dense, quiet highly-fired grey pottery and feature leaves, birds and flower blossoms in high relief. The blossoms are presumably lotus blossoms although could possibly be chrysanthemums. The tile on the left also has one flower still in bud...

Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Painted Pottery Tiles - Birds & Blossoms

This highly decorative pair of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). They are made from a dense, quiet highly-fired grey pottery and have been very elaborately decorated in high relief featuring a bird sitting on a branch surrounded by blossoms and buds...

Large Chinese Song Dynasty Painted Pottery Tile of a Warrior

This rare and unusual pottery tile depicts an armoured warrior. It was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). It is made from a grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment on top of which have been applied various different coloured pigments. This tile depicts a formidable warrior. Note the thick-set facial features, also the headgear and the decorative armour he wears...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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. The money tree itself would comprise a bronze trunk, or pole, to which were...

Black lacquer box finely incised with motifs of birds, dormice, vines and flowers, the golden designs stand out pleasantly against the black background with discretion. This Chinese lacquer technique called Ch'iang Chin is very old, it consists of making slight incisions on the dry lacquer then filling them with gold powder mixed with fresh lacquer for good, lasting adhesion. On the box presented here, the very thick and solid lacquer is a sign of excellent quality which has allowed it to calmly...

Unusual Ming Dynasty stoneware celadon glazed censer on a reddish clay body, possibly Longquan or an allied kiln, uncommon to see fine translucent craquelure. Good condition- no cracks or damage just some bits of kiln grit adhering to the glaze surface. D: 11.5cm/4.5in and H: 5.5cm/2.1in

Chinese hard porcelain dish with an elegant scalloped shape, decorated in famille rose enamels with 5 dragons competing for the sacred pearls. The vigorous dragons are very well drawn, their contortions are harmonious. They only have 4 claws. The marli is decorated with a Greek frieze enamelled in a pretty bright blue. The Greeks could indicate a European order, but the central, typically Chinese decoration of the 5 dragons circumscribed in a circle is more reminiscent of an order for the Chines...

Chinese hard porcelain dish. Decorated with a palace scene in the center and a rich variegated decoration on the margin, interspersed with a cartouche containing birds. A dominant blue enamel happily illuminates the whole. Although this style of decor is relatively common, it is exceptional to come across some of such good quality, in fact here the firing was perfect, the enamels are superb which is very important. China, probably Jingdezhen kilns mid-19th century. Excellent state of conservat...

Chinese Ming dynasty Wanli period guan form jar with wide shoulders tapering to an unglazed foot and glazed, slightly recessed base decorated in underglaze blue with lotus flowers and scrolling foliage on a white ground. Short cylindrical neck and fully glazed interior. Measures 6 7/8” high. 16th century. No chips, cracks, or repairs. Minor scratches to the glaze are visible under magnification. From the estate of Gerhard Lohmeier, a Diplomat at the German Embassy in Beijing from 1985 to ...

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. The clothing is distinctly Mong...