15th Century and Earlier Vases

This is a Tokoname ware jar made in the Heian period, around the end of the 12th century. It comes with a wooden storage box. Tokoname ware is pottery that has been made on the Chit...

Terracotta hydria from southern Italy dating to circa 330 BC. Painted by Primato, a Greek artist active during the Lucanian period. The painter’s work is distinguished by elaborate v...

This is a very old Japanese jar of Sue ware (Sueki), fired using a technique believed to have originally come from the Silla kingdom of the Korean peninsula. Similar vessel forms can...

This is an excavated earthenware vessel that is thought to have been made in Korea during the Silla period, around the 9th century. It is a very beautiful jar of the form called a "footed jar," and it comes with a dedicated wooden storage box and a paper recording its prewar provenance. Silla was an ancient kingdom that arose in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula around the 1st century BC and lasted until the early 10th century. From around the middle of the 4th century, the firing temperature of Silla kilns rose above 1,000 degrees Celsius, which made the pottery harder and less prone to cracking than before. It ranges from light gray to dark gray, is unglazed, and rings with a metallic sound when tapped. It was used as everyday tools and as vessels for rituals, and was also placed in the tombs of powerful people as burial goods. It is very close to Japanese Sue ware, and the technique is said to have been transmitted from the Korean Peninsula to Japan. Large vessels were made by coiling clay, while finely made small vessels were made on the potter's wheel, and their outsides were decorated with incised patterns and, on the foot, with cut-out openings. This jar, too, was placed in an ancient tomb as such a burial good. For that reason it was made with great care. The smooth curves made on the potter's wheel are beautiful, and the lines of the raised bands that run around the body are also graceful. On the foot, you can see the wavy pattern and the cut-out openings that are characteristic of Silla pottery...

Skyphos Ancient Greece, 4th century BC Pottery 10.6 cm high; 17 cm across the handles; 10 cm diameter Condition: In good condition. One handle repaired. Provenance: Private coll...

Bell Krater Greek 4th century BC Pottery 9 cm high; 11 cm diameter Condition: Good state of preservation. Provenance: Private collection, Paris, France. Acquired in the 1980s. ...

Oinochoe Ancient Greece, 4th century BC Pottery 20 cm height. Condition: In good condition. Provenance: Private collection, France. The oinochoe was one of the most characteris...

Kylix Greek, Attic 470–450 BC Pottery 22 cm long between handles; 4.8 cm high and 16 cm diameter. Condition: Good state of preservation. A break line has been professionally res...

A charming Gnathian pelike, with the obverse featuring a female head turned to the left, scrolling floral tendrils to either side, framing the central scene are a row of dots and ovo...

We have an aesthetic sense peculiar to Japanese people. And we introduce the unique items that only we can do, the route of purchasing in Japan, the experience value so far, and the ...

Provenance: Le Futur Anterieur, France; Mary K. F. Leong collection, Washington, acquired between 1980 - 1990; Arte Primitivo, New York, Fine Pre-Columbian, & Tribal Art, and Cla...

This small but superbly painted Neck Amphora is attributed to the Light-Make Class. It's central scene is decorated with an armored hoplite wearing greaves and a Corinthian helmet. H...

This somewhat rare South Italian ceramic vessel is called a nestoris, or two handled wine jar. The obverse is decorated with a seated youth wearing a tunic, pilos helmet and high lac...

This beautifully proportioned South Italian ceramic production is an askos, or pouring vessel.  It prominently features a seated naked winged Eros wearing anklets, bracelets, a body ...

This is an old, monumental Tokoname ware “Yabure Tsubo” (broken-form jar) made in Japan. A yabure tsubo refers to a large jar that has sustained natural breakage and weathering over ...

Of beautiful rich, translucent alabaster, banded with creamy hightlights, this sizeable vessel is of exceptional quality. The cylindrical squat piriform body tapers to a flat base, ...

A beautifully hand-hammered silver vase by Emilia Castillo, accented with a playful crown-like rim adorned with dangling natural stone rings. The shimmering silver surface contrasts ...

An impressive ancient Chinese painted pottery vase, circa 500–200 BC, distinguished by its monumental form, sculptural animal handles, geometric ornament, and a series of individuall...

Ancient Egyptian Blue-Painted Vase Amarna Period, circa 1348-1320 BCE Egyptian pottery seldom survives at this scale with its painted decoration intact. This monumental vessel dates...

A finely crafted Ancient Apulian Magna Graecia Bell Krater, dating to c. 350 BC, used as a wine mixing bowl in classical antiquity. This red-figure pottery vessel features twin handl...

This is a bronze vase made in Korea during the late Goryeo dynasty (around the 12th–13th century). The Goryeo dynasty was a period in which highly sophisticated craftsmanship developed alongside a flourishing Buddhist culture. During this era, many outstanding works of art were produced, including celadon ceramics and metalwork. This piece is an example of bronze craftsmanship from that time and possesses an elegant form that reflects the refined aesthetic sensibilities of the period. The shape of this vase is known as “Yuhuchun” (玉壺春), a classic bottle form frequently seen in Chinese Song dynasty celadon. The slender neck rises gracefully upward, leading to a gently swelling rounded body, and finally to a small, stable foot. This silhouette creates a beautifully balanced curve throughout the entire form. While Goryeo craftsmanship was influenced by Chinese culture, it also developed its own distinct aesthetic, and this vessel appears to have been created within that cultural context. Around the neck and shoulder are ring-shaped ridges known as “tutdae” (突帯). These raised bands create a subtle rhythm in the form and give visual structure to the vessel. Such decorative ridges are one of the characteristic features seen in Goryeo bronze objects. They function not merely as decoration but also as an important design element that defines and tightens the overall contour of the vessel. Across the surface, a natural patina has formed over the centuries, with areas of green corrosion and soil accretions typical of ancient bronze. The coloration shifts subtly from blue-green to light brown tones. This patina cannot be artificially reproduced; it appears only through the passage of a long period of time. The piece embodies both the rough character typical of excavated artifacts and a quiet beauty, as though it has preserved a fragment of the ancient landscape within its surface. Regarding its condition, because this is an excavated object, corrosion over time has caused a hole to form in the body. Please refer to the detailed photos for confirmation. For this reason, it cannot be used to hold water directly. However, if you wish to arrange flowers, you may place a slender glass container inside the vase and fill that with water. It also works beautifully with dried flowers or branches. The heavy texture of ancient bronze pairs exceptionally well with natural plant materials, making it a striking decorative object within an interior space. This vase also comes with its original storage box. On the lid is an inscription reading “Goryeo Period Bronze Water Vessel...

This superb bail amphora from Southern Italy is attributed to the Astarita Painter. The balustrade shaped vase, features a semi-circular handle above, and depicts standing draped fig...

Ancient Egyptian Bullet-Form Alabaster Vase Third Intermediate Period, circa 945–715 BCE This monumental Egyptian alabaster vase is among the largest known examples of its type. It ...

There is a long crack that has been repaired. Detailed images 14th and 15th. There is no water leakage, but please refrain from leaving water in it for more than two days. Also, be s...

This exceptional and elegantly composed tear shaped Corinthian Alabastron is a standout for the type. The complex decorative scheme is centered around a standing figure of the winge...

This amphora is a well formed example of the Geometric period, decorated in dark brown slip with horizontal bands. The bands include short vertical lines, a blind lozenge chain, hatc...

A gorgeous and striking late Warring States (475 to 221 BC) or early Han Dynasty (221 to 206 BC) cast bronze and silver-decorated garlic head hu vessel. Of elegant bottle form, w...

A slender ceramic vase with flared foot, bulbous body, conical neck with chamfered rim; remains of gilt overlay; supplied with a custom-made stand and old collector's labels beneath: 'G 30/11/53 ex1-' and 'Ancient Vase from CYPRUS' and 'Showing remains of gilding.' Notes The unguentarium is one of the most characteristic types of Hellenistic pottery. It is also known as the "tear-bottle"; this is because it was once thought that such vessels were used for collecting the tears of mourners before being placed in the grave. Today, however, it is believed that such vessels were probably used for the transportation of unguents. The decoration of unguentaria generally consisted of simple bands and remained unchanged throughout the lifetime of this type. Nevertheless, there are also many undecorated examples. Provenance Acquired on 30th November 1953 as per the collection labels on the underside of the base. Private UK collection. Acorn Antiques...

Provenance: Private collection, U.S.A (acquired April 1996) The wonderful early bronze age marble vases found in the Greek Cyclades islands, with their distinctive bulbous bodies, h...

A fine example of Ancient Greek pottery, an Athenian black-figure white-ground lekythos, circa 500–475 BC, in the manner of the Bowdoin painter, with a cylindrical body decorated wit...

A Korean Buncheong stoneware vase circa 15th century of Joseon Dynasty. The robust vase with thick walls was made in a bottle form with rounded square contour and flattened surfaces....

Dingyao porcelain, often called Ding ware, is famous for its creamy-white coloring, refined forms, and low-relief surface patterning. Ding ware was produced ...

Wonderfully decorative, the hydria is classic in form and displays an evocative level of wear. The main scene shows a naked Eros flanked on either side by draped female figures, one ...

This well proportioned hydria features a central scene with three standing figures. A draped female in the center facing left, wears a floor-length chiton with a himation over her be...

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Sican-Chimu transitional period, circa 1100–1470 CE. A striking ceramic vessel showcasing the refined artistry of Peru’s northern coastal cultures. The piece is ...

Provenance: William Randolph Hearst (1863 - 1951) Donna Jacobs Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan Private collection, Michigan, USA (acquired from the above on 5th August 1986) The ma...

A ceramic wide-mouthed bottle vase covered in green celadon glaze from Goryeo dynasty circa 11-12th century. The bottle vase with such a form (mouth with wide rim, long and slender neck, tall body with swelled shoulders that taper down toward the base) is known as "kwanggubyong" in Korean and developed from the prototype of bottles from united Silla kingdom. It was used for holding oil or liquid. Some of this type of vase take a plain form without much decoration other than glaze; Some feature basic geometrical lines, such as this one. Three concentric rings were featured along the neck and on the shoulder. Some with more carving on the body (see a vase in the collection of Brooklyn Musuem, 79.246.3) or a simple paint with iron glaze (See c.16-1930 in Fitzwilliam Musuem, Cambridge, UK). The vase on offer is covered in a lovely green celadon glaze which exhibits fine even crackles throughout the surface. It has a slightly uneven base with the foot ring shaved by the potter. The surface is original with a nice mellow patina. There is a historical kintsugi repair on the mouth rim, with its gold vain...

Provenance - Galerie Harmakhis, Brussels, Belgium. - R. C. Collection (1924 - 2023), Brussels, Belgium. Documents - Attached is a study on the antiquity of the piece issued by an Eg...

I would like to introduce rare and interesting Japanese antique pottery. This is called "Tamba ware" in Japan. Tamba is a historic kiln located in Hyogo prefecture, Japan. (The part ...

A sublime Korean celadon glazed cup mouth bottle vase, Goryeo Dynasty, 12th century, Korea. The elegant bottle vase, originally used to serve wine, features a gorgeous Goryeo celadon...

A pre-Columbian ceramic stirrup vessel in Cupisnique style circa 700-500BCE. This ancient vessel features a robust squatted body and a short thick stirr...

Double Spout and Bridge Vessel, Nasca, Peru, 200-600 BCE. Wonderfully painted, perfect for any collection.

Provenance - Private collection, Gaia Cecilia Metella Servadio (1938 – 2021), Italian writer-in-residence. A vessel entirely composed of a single block of orange-hued breccia, resto...

Han Dynasty Earthenware Vase

We are pleased to introduce a glazed ceramic vase from the Liao dynasty of China, dating from the 10th century, about 1,000 years ago. The Liao dynasty was established by the Qidan ...

This exquisite black-glaze kantharos, or wine cup, is a wonderful example of the refined simplicity that characterises the artistic achievements of the Ancient Greeks. Its upper sect...

Provenance - Galerie Harmakhis, Brussels, Belgium. - R. C. Collection (1924 - 2023), Brussels, Belgium. Documents - Attached is a study on the antiquity of the piece issued by an Eg...

This double-spouted vessel originates from the Peru and is distinguished by its sculptural anthropomorphic design. One of the chambers is shaped as a human figure with a triangular f...

This rare and sculptural Canosan pottery figural oinochoe takes the form of an elegant female head, modeled in terracotta with softly articulated facial features and an elongated nec...

Olpe Greek, Attic 5th century BC Pottery 9 cm high; 9.5 cm diameter Condition: Intact, with minor losses to the black glaze around the lip. Provenance: Private collection, M. B...

A large and decorative Chinese green-glazed pottery hu vase. Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). The compressed globular body encircled by eight mystical beasts of monkeys, Rabbits, de...

Han Dynasty Earthenware Vase

This is an antique Khmer stoneware baluster vase originating from Cambodia or Northeast Thailand during the Angkor period dating back to the 11th or 12th century. : It features a stu...

An understated and very heavily potted celadon glazed Korean ritual ewer or water sprinkler, kundinka, Goryeo Dynasty, 13th-14th century. The unusu...

Large ancient Khmer Urn or Vase in a sober, Classic form. The piece has varied and beautiful coloration due to the effect of time, humidity and weather on th...

A large, and very fine barrel-shaped jar of alabster with well defined bands of creme and caramel highlights. Twin vestigial lug handles are located on each side below a wide disc ri...

A truly incredible example of Attic blackware pottery, made in Athens, Greece circa 500 BCE. A very large example, in incredible condition. A stunning bulbous form with two lug handl...

With its balanced silhouette and subdued color palette, this lotus offering vase from the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644) resonates calm and sophistication. Sculpted centuries ago in ...

With a graceful silhouette and subdued color palette, this lotus offering vase from the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644) resonates calm and sophistication. Sculpted centuries ago in Yu...

A large and dramatic Ban Chiang Culture burnished black pottery vessel with incised geometric designs, early period, circa 1200 - 800 BC, Khorat Plateau, Northe...