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. It still has its bronze ball inside the bell section so shaking it will make the same sound that was heard some 3,000 years ago! The surface has corroded due to long burial and there are extensive malachite deposits.

Height 13 cm ...

Large Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Sichuan Pottery Figure - Musician

This large and impressive pottery model of a musician was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and excavated from Sichuan province. A variety of figures of this general type excavated from Sichuan province are known. They are often musicians and entertainers, and were made in a variety of sizes, this particular example being of the larger type.

This figure wears a robe with wide sleeves and is kneeling in th...

Large Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Sichuan Pottery Figure - Female Cook

This large and impressive pottery model was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and excavated from Sichuan province. It is a model of a kneeling female figure holding in one hand a knife, and in the other a fish that lays on a chopping board. It is made from a particularly red pottery that is relatively low-fired. A variety of figures of this general type, some small, some large, excavated from Sichuan prov...

Fine Korean Koryo Dynasty Bronze Bowl, Spoon & Chopsticks

This fine, high quality bronze bowl and utensils were made during the Koryo Dynasty (AD 918 - 1392) but more specifically during the 13th century. The wall of the bowl is particularly thin as it was made by the spinning technique as opposed to having been cast (see below for more information). The foot of the bowl has been made separately and is joined by two rivets. Originally its surface would have been brightly polished but it has,...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

Fine & Rare Large Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Granary Jar with Cover

This rare pottery model of a granary was made some 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is coated in a very attractive amber glaze that varies slightly in colour around the vessel. The unusual shoulder and top presumably represent a two-tier tiled roof. It has its original cover with moulded floral pattern and two purpose-made holes. We know from two other similar examples we have from the same excava...

An antique Chinese chest made of hardwood and featuring 2 side by side drawers with removable 2 doors and separator. Used as a side table, it has spacious storage space behind the doors. Original metal hardware.

Age: 19th Century

Dimensions: 37" Wide by 32 1/2" High by 16 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress), Kaki (Persimmon) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware with burled Keyaki door panels and drawer fronts. Unique and natural thunder bolt-like grain pattern on the Hinoki wood frame. Side horizontal supports add strength and aesthetic beauty to the tansu. Inverted trapezoid shaped runners at the base of each sliding door.

Its original use was as a kitchen c...

A rare an high quality Japanese Matsumoto Choba Tansu (merchant chest from the Matsumoto region of Japan) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with full moon style lock plates and Warabite handles. Recessed side handles lift open to accommodate a wood pole through each handle allowing two persons to carry the tansu from place to place. Solid floating wood panels on the side, the top and the sliding doors were used to prevent cracks over ...

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with auspicious Paulownia leaf lock plates and Warabite handles. The original finish was done in a wiped Urushi lacquer technique for both the drawer fronts and the tansu body.

It was used in a wealthy Japanese home to store personal effects, ephemera, writing tools, and other miscellaneous sundries. In a modern home, it would make the perfe...

Ohara Koson
Three small birds on a twig of a red maple
Size: Approximately 17.5 x 12.5 cm. 6.75 x 4.875 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Koson signature and seal at lower left.
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 440).
Reference: AK.18 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Slight wave in paper around original publisher's label at back.
An early and rarely seen design.

This Toba-e E-maki appears to be a 19th century Gi-ga follower of the later 18th to early 19th century Osaka "Manga-ka" Nichosai (Matsudaira Heisaburo). His humorous images of Hell were quite popular, known as Kakuyu painting.　Overall the genre has many names, Gi-ga being all encompassing, Toba-e being descriptive of this particular style, and Kakuyu-fu being the style of Nichosai. It ends with a simple stamp which reads Fish (Gyo/Sakana). It is 11 by 174 inches (28 x 442 cm). Very interes...