Chinese Ceramic Lidded Vessel

A cream-white jar in a lid, kissed by the kiln.

Potters in Jiangxi Province, China, made this lidded vessel in pottery in the late 19th or early 20th century. Lidded jars of this size were commonly used for storage in the household. The body is a broad ovoid that narrows at the foot, topped with a shallow domed lid and a small round knob. A pale, cloudy glaze covers the upper part in cream and grey, while touches of warm brown and a smoky darker foot show where the flame reached.

About 12 inches tall. Plain-spoken pottery, and it makes everything near it look more thoughtful.