Large Chinese Han Dynasty Pottery Ox with Oxford TL Test (206 BC - AD 220)

This large pottery model of an ox, or bull, was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is made from a relatively high-fired grey pottery which has made it much more durable than lower-fired examples.

Length 36 cm (14 inches), height 21 cm (8.25 inches). It is in outstanding condition; although one horn appears to have been broken and re-stuck, there is no obvious sign of any other restoration or repa...

Very Rare Large Chinese Five Dynasties / Song Dynasty Pottery Jar with Oxford TL Test

This large and impressive pottery jar of exceptional form was made during the Five Dynasties period (AD 907 - 960) or possible the early part of the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). It is a wide-bodied jar with sturdy handles and quite a small flat base, an unusual form for this period. Its form is reminiscent of some Han Dynasty pottery jars of around a thousand years earlier, although this jar is much more "...

Lovely Neolithic jar with a single lug from the Qijia or Siwa Cultures circa 1500BCE. Please view the enlargements as this piece has a lot more going for it than it appears at first- 1# please note the bottom where you can see the impression of the woven mat where it was coiled and hand molded using a paddle, 2# the handle has four “ribs”, 3# circling the neck of the jar are a series of indentations made by a human fingernail and 4# the lower half has subtle incised diagonal lines....

Woodblock print, Ukiyoe, the original picture is painted by the third generation of Utagawa Toyokuni (Utagawa Kunisada, 1786～1865）The place is Nihon-bashi in Edo, the first stage of the "Tokaido Fifty-Three Stages". The man is a "katsuo-uri", bonito fish vender. In good condition. Mid 19th century. W:25cm, L:37cm

Asa (hemp) furoshiki with four owner's names, hand-written with sumi(ink). Both warps and wefts are hand-plied. It has some holes and stains, however it is washed. Probably from Nagano prefecture or Tohoku district. The second half of the 19th century. W:126cm, L:132cm

Large porcelain bowl, decoration painted in red iron oxide on cracked glaze, gold details. On the outside, Buddhist lions (Shishi) are represented moving among peonies. Inside are finely drawn landscapes in reserves and elegant cranes in flight. Each landscape is annotated with Chinese characters which probably indicate what place it is. Under the Kutani kilns mark. Very nice example of this production and beautiful size. Good condition, a firing defect on the heel which can be seen in the photo...

Spectacular 'wagumi' japanese free flowing style bamboo flower basket with root handle. Undulating rim and mixed warp and weft weave. Unsigned. 55cm tall x 30cm in diameter. No breaks and sturdy handle attachments. Very good condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Glazed Granary Jar with Cover

Although many different Han Dynasty granary jars are known, this example is quite rare. It was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) from a relatively high-fired red pottery, quite "heavily-potted", that has been glazed in two different colours. Mostly it is coated in an attractive amber coloured glaze. The upper band of a different colour was originally coated in a green glaze that has, as a result of very long burial in da...

Rare Large Chinese Tang Dynasty Pottery Ox / Bull (AD 618 - 906)

This rare and unusual pottery model of an ox, or bull, was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a pale pinkish-coloured pottery that is quite highly-fired, having an almost "metallic" ring to it when tapped. Tang pottery items made from a creamy or pink coloured pottery are rarer and often considered finer than the more "common" dark reddish pottery.

It is a muscular looking bull, with its head down ...

Chinese Jin Dynasty Painted Pottery Filial Piety Tile (AD 1115 - 1234)

This interesting and attractive pottery tile was made during the Jin Dynasty (AD 1115 - 1234) and most likely comes from Shanxi province. It depicts a scene from the story of the Aunt of Lu, one of the stories of the twenty-four paragons of filial piety:  

In the Zhou period, there was a righteous woman from the Lu state who fled to escape the turmoil of war. During her escape, she abandoned her own son, whom she ha...

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...

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. Note the bird in the right tile holding something in its beak, al...

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. He stands with fists clench...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...