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.

For information: this vessel is one of many items from a late pr...

Rare Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Attendant Figure

This rare pottery model of a court official or attendant was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). The figure stands alert with his hands clasped together beneath his robe. Note the detail of the clothing, the folds to the sleeves and to the rear, as well as the fine facial features and hair style. It is made from a dense grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a base coat of a creamy-w...

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. Length 15.5 cm (6 inches).  Please note that this object has not been treated in any way and should be handled carefully.

This is one of two almost ide...

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. Length 15.5 cm (6 inches). Please note that this object has not been treated in any way and should be handled carefully - a s...

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. There is an ...

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). There are also black carbon deposits on the surface in places,...

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. The body is wide and it has a c...

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. Overall condition is very good although there is what appears to be a filled firing crack to the shoulder of the bottle.  

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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). Losses to ears and tail, but no obvious sign of repair or restoration.

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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. It is in very good condition and has n...

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. Although not immediately obvious, the outer wall of the body has been lightly deco...

A fine and very rare bat-shaped porcelain censer with what are apparently bat head feet. We believe that there would originally have been a wood cover secured into the two outer holes and that the incense smoke would have escaped through the three central holes.

This item was made in China for the domestic market as a temple or home alter piece in the early 18th Century, probably during the reign of the Kangxi emperor (1662-1722).

Condition - excellent - no damages and no restoration.

8...

A rare early (female) Buddhist Guardian Lion painted with unevenly distributed crackular over glaze turquoise enamel. This item was probably made in China during the 17th or early 18th Century.

Condition: very good - there are many small under glaze firing cracks; there is glaze loss to both eyes and there is 'kiln grit' to the base. No chips or external cracks and no repairs or restoration.

15 cm / 6 inches high.

For many additional pictures and enlargements please view item #1745 on ...

The glasses made of smoky crystal. Minor chips to the tortoiseshell, some of the metal hinges have been replaced in the old days. Very good condition considering the age. China, late 19th century. Width 13, 5 cm. H. 5 cm.

A very rare blackwood Hungmu rectangle table in it's original condition. This table has never been restored, has all the original hardware and is in fine condition for its age. Blackwood tables are quite rare. Age: Mid Qing Size: L.114cm, W.43cm, H.80cm. Condition: Some small minor old repairs

Authentic Tang tomb guardian wearing a typical warrior's uniform standing on an evil creature with remains of the original pigments an white slip. Age: Tang Dynasty 618 - 907 AD. Size: H.58cm. W.21cm Condition: No repairs. Small piece missing from the back of his skirt. See photo.

Rare Chinese Tang Dynasty Stoneware Jar with Cover

This "heavily-potted" stoneware jar, complete with its original cover, was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). Like most Tang jars, its form is particularly pleasing. The finely-crackled transparent pale olive-green glaze is quite "streaky" and coats around the upper three-quarters of the outer surface, as well as the cover. The lower body remains unglazed showing the white stoneware body. Although the inside of the mouth is also co...

Rare Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Prostrate Figure with Inscription

This very rare pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a fairly highly-fired creamy-white pottery with features picked out in cold-painted red and black pigments. The figure is prostrate with knees and elbows on the ground possibly paying obeisance to a dignitary or emperor. Note especially the details of the facial features. To the base are Chinese characters in black pigment ...