Dark Glaze Kitchen Jar

A cool, blue-black glaze coats the stout body of this early 20th-century terra cotta kitchen jar. As evidenced by the glazed interior, this wide-mouth jar was once used daily in a provincial Chinese kitchen for fermenting foods and condiments. The jar is flanked with two small strap handles with a slightly tapered form, angular shoulders, and a rounded rim.

Stopping short of the base, the dark glaze has a glossy finish and displays a range of colors, from dark blue to pale grey to warm browns. A subtle ridged texture patterning the jar's body manipulates the glaze to pool and drip irregularly across the surface, adding dimension and character to the jar. Wonderfully textured with firing imperfections, this jar exemplifies the timeless appeal of handcrafted pottery and makes a wonderful vase or planter.