Chinese Wine Storage Vessel, with Inscription

Dark, combed and carrying an inscription of its own.

Potters in Shanxi Province, China, made this wine storage vessel with an inscription in pottery in the early 19th century. Storage jars like this were commonly used for wine and other provisions. The long, tapering body is covered in fine horizontal combing and a few marks near the shoulder that appear to be written characters, which we leave unread. The clay is brown with grey-green dusting, over a short flared neck.

About 24 inches tall and 15 wide. Words on a pot, and nobody is telling.