Earthenware is a general term for clay shaped and fired into a hard, stiff, inelastic, non-eroding and heat-resistant object. The term Pottery includes Earthenware and terracotta, which is a form of Earthenware. Subject to the items mixed with the clay and increasing the firing temperature, earthenware can become stoneware or porcelain. Ancient earthenware is fired in the wide range of 800 to 1400 degrees and includes Han dynasty mingqi.
Showing 13–24 of 41 results
Mingqi are ancient earthenware pottery items usually made using a bivalve mould and covered with a lead glaze that fired to a dark green. The lead in the glaze often combined with tomb dampness for centuries creating a chemical reaction changing its coloring into a lustrous and iridescent green seen here. Han mingqi were ancestral…
This ancient figurine is Harpocrates the Greek god of silence and secrets holding a jar made for a home shrine. He probably represents a royal and temple cult, as he wears a double crown symbolizing both Upper and Lower Egypt and his royal emblem signifies his association with the reigning Egyptian king, who was considered a manifestation of the Egyptian god Horus. Missing part of his right side when excavated, and no with no repairs this is a true slice of history. It pairs well with #1845 Ancient Pottery Figurine of Child Nurturer Goddess.
This ancient Judean vessel created during Israel’s Biblical Period was hand shaped using the coil method. It likely held potable liquids, cooking oil or other items. This is a rather sophisticated piece for Bronze Age vessel made millennia ago.
This ancient pottery lekanis is from Apulia in Magna Graecia, the Roman name for the South Italy coastal area colonized by the Greeks in the 6th century B.C.E. Greek settlers arrived with their Hellenic culture intact and had much influence on Italian civilization. A lekanis was a highly decorated low shallow bowl with close-fitting top…
This Roman Egyptian figurine from Alexandria of a woman holding a young child is a Kourotrophos, a class goddess figures holding infants or children. Referred to as “child nurturers”, these were revered deities, cult figures and mortals who were also fertility symbols and protectors of the young. Made from a bivalve mold, this terracotta figurine was probably placed on a home altar for protection. Mother and child figures like this are universal and appear in cultures throughout the world. It pairs well with #1844 Ancient Harpocrates Figurine.
Made in Africa Proconsularis in Roman North Africa and shipped throughout the Roman Empire, this small pouring vessel was made of inexpensive and long-lasting materials and was called coarse wear for everyday use. This earthenware jug is elegant in its simplicity – tapered and undecorated except for horizontal ridges, curved single handle, simple rim at the mouth and crème clay slip. It was made using a potters wheel, seen by the circle marks on the bottom and the uniform ribbing. A fine small piece of history.
This simple ancient small earthenware bowl was made in Africa Proconsularis, the Roman North Africa pottery center and distributed throughout the Roman Empire. With no handle, this beaker is beautiful in its simplicity resting on a short foot, a body that curves up and rises to meet a neck and is topped with an everted rim to lessen spillage Made for daily use, this Roman coarse wear has a wide mouth for easy drinking and a rim with light terracotta red and its crème slip with an exquisite shape.
Made in the Roman North Africa, this ancient carinated ceramic flagon called coarse wear for daily use made of inexpensive durable clay was used to hydrate all kinds of people and on home altars for offerings to family deities. Carinated pottery, where the top and lower sections are angled in opposite directions forming a pointed edge, was common ancient pottery shape, this one with a handle.
A fine ancient Roman platter produced for upper classes, this is refined and delicate and has stamped decorative images in complex circles. Although rough areas with small losses remain, it is an ancient piece otherwise in very good condition that, especially considering its age and use, remains a remarkable surviving piece of history.
Dating from the 4th century B.C.E., this miniature pottery vessel was wheel-thrown in the Greek colonies, Apulia, Magna Graecia in Southeastern Italy. Called Xenon ware, it’s elegant shape has a curved body, small neck with flared rim and handle and is decorated with painted orange geometric designs. Its diminutive shape indicates it may have been made for use by children or as a votive vessel. Common for pottery of this age there is some fading of the painted decoration and small chips. With no discernible repairs or restorations it is in very good shape for its age and use.
Antique and vintage ceramic tobacco pipes are part of a long cultural tradition of Burmese/Myanmar and Thai hill tribes. Mould made and adorned with intricate designs, a bamboo or metal stem was often inserted at the end through which smoke was drawn. This highly collectible antique item reflects hill-tribe skills creating decorative functional objects and would be a unique gift for any pipe smoker, but, like all antique items, we recommended it be used as a decorative item.
Antique and vintage ceramic tobacco pipes are part of a long cultural tradition of Burmese/Myanmar and Thai hill tribes. Mould made and adorned with intricate designs, a bamboo or metal stem was often inserted at the end through which smoke was drawn. This highly collectible antique item reflects hill-tribe skills creating decorative functional objects and would be a unique gift for any pipe smoker, but, like all antique items, we recommended it be used as a decorative item.
End of content
End of content