A Rare Large Chinese Han Dynasty Black Pottery Amphora. Twin-handled jars of this general type have been found in excavations dating as far back as the Spring and Autumn Period (770-475 BC). Although perhaps not obviously Chinese in design, this type of vessel is one of the most iconic forms of Han Dynasty pottery and is thought by many archaeologists to be anthropomorphic, with the shape and "swirling" design of the main body based on the female human form. This is an unusually large example of its type but has the same decoration as the more well-known smaller examples, with the bands of combed decoration to the neck and the two “dimples” in the surface of each handle. This example remains in “as found” condition and much of the surface is covered with ancient mineralized plant/root growths as well as thick rust accretions showing that this vessel lay alongside a heavily-corroding iron object during its long burial. Height 32cm (12.5 inches). Han Dynasty (206 BC – AD 220). Provenance: from the collection of the late Brian Page (1938-2018), the well-known Oriental art and antiques dealer from Brighton.