A Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Ding (206 BC - AD 8). A pottery tripod (ding) complete with its original cover. Made from quite a highly-fired pale buff-coloured pottery that has been cold painted in a base coat of black pigment with swirling patterns on top in white pigment. The body stands on three legs, the tops of which have a thumb-sized indentation. On opposing sides of the body are two quite large square-cut handles. On many places to the surface are the mineralised remains of ancient plant/root growths. Diameter 26.5 cm (10.5 inches). Western Han Dynasty (206 BC – AD 8). Provenance: from the collection of the late Brian Page (1938-2018), the well-known Oriental art and antiques dealer from Brighton.