Pre-Song Pottery & Ceramics

Late Warring States Period/ Early Western Han Dynasty 3rd Century BCE

Small two-handle amphora of excellent quality. It is decorated with the swirling eye motif typical of vessels of this type. It has two bands of etched decoration around the thinnest part of the neck and an abstract design on its base.

Tang Dynasty AD 618-907

White pottery figure of a standing courtesan wearing a flowing, full-length dress her hair piled on the top of her head in an ornate single-chignon. Her plump figure is typical of the ladies of the court of the period. Her hands are held out in front of her, the right hand enveloped in the sleeve.
This piece has been subject to a Thermoluminescence Test (C208d89)

Eastern Han Dynasty AD 25-220

Buff/red pottery “Hu” vase decorated with a green, copper-tinted lead glaze. On opposite sides of the ovate body are moulded “Taotie” mask handles. The footed jar has a well-proportioned neck with a mouth with everted lip. The vase would have been glazed and fired upside down; hence the glaze drips on the rim of the mouth. The glaze has developed a pleasing iridescent lustre as result of the lead glaze being exposed to damp conditions over a considerable period of time.

Northern Qi Dynasty AD550-577

Grey pottery horse of elegant form.
This piece has been subject to a Thermoluminescence Test.

Tang Dynasty AD 618 - 907

Large white pottery figure of an official, decorated with a "sancai" glaze

This piece has been subject to a Thermoluminescence test

Tang Dynasty AD618-907

White pottery horse of good quality. It is depicted standing foursquare on a rectangular plinth, with its head turned slightly down and to the left. The horse wears a bridle and saddle. The piece retains much of its original pigments. The four legs have been repaired, as has the neck.
This piece has been subjected to a thermoluminescence test (C103z81)

Tang dynasty AD 618-907

Red pottery horse standing foursquare on a rectangular plinth He is depicted with his head turned slightly to the left with his mouth open and ears pricked. The large firing hole on the underside and the colour of the clay indicated this piece was manufactured early in the dynasty. Each of the four legs has been repaired.
This piece has been subjected to a thermoluminescence test (C109j84)

Tang Dynasty AD 618-907

Red pottery horse standing on a rectangular plinth with its front right leg raised. He is depicted with his head down and turned slightly to the left; his mouth is open and ears pricked. The piece retains a large degree of the original white pigment decoration. Each of the four legs has been repaired.

This piece has been subject to a Thermoluminescence test.

Tang Dynasty AD 618-907

Grey pottery camel depicted in a walking stance. Good detailing.

Han Dynasty 206 BC – AD 220

A burnished grey pottery cocoon vase decorated with incised vertical bands on the ovate-form body