Provincial Wine Jug

This ceramic jar from China's Shandong province has a bottle-neck shape meant for storing vinegar or wine made from rice and grain. Dated to the early 20th century, the jar was likely created to store wine for commercial sale and would have been stoppered with a cork or wax seal. Left unglazed, the jug is decorated only by the irregular, organic smoke patterns imparted during the firing process. We love the vessel's neutral color and strong, yet restrained silhouette.