Earthenware

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 25–36 of 41 results

  • Antique Clay Hill Tribe Pipe, Burma/Myanmar (3474B-WKE) $85

    $85.00
    H: 2”  W: 1.75”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING!

    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 Majapahit Miniature Terracotta Head, Indonesia, Java (1138EHA) $195 sia (1138EHA) $195

    $195.00
    Ht: 4” W: 1.5” D: 1.75”|FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This terracotta head was crafted during the Majapahit Empire in Java and was either part of a Hindu bas-relief frieze or made as a freestanding figurine. Most figures found are small decapitated heads with no bodies, and it is very rare to find a complete figure with a naturalistic facial expression. As with many heads, this one displays Javanese facial features, hairstyles and ear ornamentation typical of the period. It has a naturalistic facial expression and wears large round coiled earrings, possibly suggesting it represented someone of the upper classes. It is in very good condition given its age and use and is mounted on a metal stand. This items pairs with Majapahit Terracotta Head 1137.

  • Antique Ming Attendant with Zodiac Animal, China (1155BCK)

    $395.00

    In China a set of earthenware Zodiac attendant figures was made as a 12 piece grouping, with each figure holding a small calendar animal with each year represented by a different animal – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig or boar – in a repeating 12-year cycle. Although…

  • Antique Ming Dynasty Earthenware Horseshoe Chair, China (3331BOK) $685

    $685.00
    H: 7.375″  W: 4.375″  D: 3.75″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Often ancestral figures were portrayed sitting in horseshoe chairs to reflect their high status. As many earthenware mingqi, this well-modeled chair has a liberally applied green glaze resulting in expected drips around the stretchers. The seat is decorated with a yellow glaze imitating caning and the decorative carved design on the splat also has a green glaze and a carved decorative “clocklike” circular design. The bottom of the seat and legs are not usually glazed. In very good condition with expected minor chips and minor glaze deterioration consistent with its age and long burial, it pairs perfectly with item 3330 and together would add to a fine collection of Chinese ceramics or brighten up a small space.

  • Antique Ming Earthenware Horseshoe Chair, China (3330BOK) $685

    $685.00
    H: 7.375″  W: 4.375″  D: 3.75″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This charming miniature Ming dynasty ceramic horseshoe pottery chair is an accurate model of an impressive beautifully grained hardwood Ming chair with a continuous horseshoe shaped top rail and a caned seat. The curved splat of a wood chair might have either carved or pierced motifs or medallions and straight or curved stretchers joining the legs in pairs at the same height on each side. Often ancestral carved figures were portrayed sitting in horseshoe chairs and reflect the high status of the figure they were portraying. This ceramic mingqi (burial item) has a thick green glaze throughout which was liberally applied normal usual drips around the stretchers. The seat is decorated with a yellow glaze in imitation of caning as is the decorative carved design on the splat, but the bottoms of the seat and legs are unglazed. The rail ends splay to the right and left for hand comfort and decorative effect are traditionally found in Ming Dynasty hardwood chairs. In very good condition with minor chips and paint losses, it was buried underground in a tomb for centuries. This would be a fine addition to a collection of antique ceramics or simply a beautiful decorative piece to brighten a small space.

  • Antique Rare Set of Ming Ceramic Attendants, China (3224)

    $4,985.00
    Ht: 17.9″ W: 4.9″ D: 4.8″ | CALL OR EMAIL FOR SHIPPING INFO

    This fine set of three elegant Ming dynasty attendants—one male and two female—are in a unique category of refinement and elegance that reflects the importance and high status of the tomb, the deceased and the family for which they were made. Standing on hexagonal bases with arms folded below their chests and presenting offerings to the deceased, their clothing and parts of the bases have a rare cobalt blue glaze. (Two have yellow glazed areas and all have painted unglazed areas.) Their removable heads are highly detailed and beautifully modeled fitting inside high collars. These figures are presented and sold as a remarkable set reflecting their original presentation and condition.

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    Brick Molded Tile of a Foreigner, China 1516A

    Original price was: $475.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    Ht: 6.875″ W: 5.25” D: 2.25 | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This fascinating thick Song pottery brick is a low-fired depiction of a dwarf foreigner with a rotund belly, a large head and nose, an open mouth and abnormal features. The Chinese believed dwarfs could ward off evil spirits and sickness, attract peace and blessings (fu) and were very wise. Images of dwarfs became so popular, some were produced in numbers.

  • Brick Tile of 2 Wéiqí Board Game Players, China (3346BKE) $495 SPECIAL PRICE $395

    $495.00
    H: 11” W: 9.5” \ D: 2” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    As part of the The Song dynasty cultural expansion, government and public buildings and tombs were built with interior walls decorated with earthenware unglazed mold-made brick tiles. This fanciful vibrant tile with a scalloped frame portrays two people playing a board game called wéiqí which originated in China over 2500 years ago. It is the world’s oldest and most complex board game still played.

  • Brick Tile of Couple Feasting and Figure Pointing to Flying Bat, China (3349BLE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $465.00

    This late Song dynasty earthenware ceramic brick tile portrays a couple sitting behind a banquet table with foods placed in front of them. On the right are two figures, one of whom points to a stylized image of a bat flying in the sky.

  • Han Dynasty Cocoon Jar with Cloud Designs, China (16015UHEM) $2100

    $2,100.00
    H: 11.75” W: 12.25” D: 7.5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Cocoon jars were mingqi made for placement in tombs to comfort the deceased on their journey to and in their afterlife. An elixir of Immortality made from mulberry leaves or their ashes was placed inside for the deceased to drink and transmigrate into the world of the beyond. Ovoid in shape to resemble a silkworm cocoon, ajar rests on a small trumpet-shaped foot and has a narrow neck and a wide lip at its mouth. Painted after firing with vertical bands dividing it into panels, swirling cloud scrolls, and circular “eye” motifs at each end, this beautiful vessel is in excellent condition for its age with expected paint losses, scrapes, and dirt adhesions.

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  • SOLD Ancient Catacomb Terracotta Oil Lamp, Roman Empire (1885A-WAR)

    $155.00

    Although most famous for Christian burials, people of all religions were interred in the catacombs due to a shortage of land and demand for burial space after a switch from cremations to underground burials in the 2nd century A.D. Roman made closed earthenware terracotta lamps became the dominant oil lamp style in the Roman world…

  • Sale!

    Song Dynasty Tile of a Lion Dance, China #4001BLE

    Original price was: $495.00.Current price is: $395.00.
    H: 7.25 ”   W:  11.5″    D: 1.75 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Song brick tiles like this decorated government, public and religious buildings, often depicting mythical animals, auspicious objects and holiday celebrations. This tile shows a traditional lion dance performed at Chinese New Year to attract prosperity and good luck for the coming year.The lion is flanked by 2 frightened children and a person in anjali mudra, symbolizing composure that could counter balance the children’s fear. 

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