Glazed Kitchen Jar

Originally used to store foods or pickle vegetables in a provincial Chinese kitchen, this late 19th-century ceramic jar is coated inside and out with a richly-colored matte brown glaze. The thick glaze drips down the sides, allowing the ripples of its spun manufacture to reveal a range of tonal colors, from warm browns to cool greens. The jar has a slightly tapered form with a narrow base, high shoulders, and constricted neck flanked by two strap handles. Speckled with imperfections, this glazed pot exemplifies the timeless appeal of handcrafted pottery.