Chinese Wine Storage Jar

Fat jar with a white shoulder band and a tar-black belly.

This glazed pottery wine storage jar is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. Grain-based wines have been brewed in China for thousands of years, and large glazed jars were a practical way to store and age them. Round-shouldered storage jar with a wide mouth and ringed black neck. A pale grey glaze covers the shoulder in a clean band, while the lower body is dark brown-black, rough and speckled, with flaking along the base. It is 10.5 inches wide, 10.5 deep and 12 high.

Two-toned, sturdy, and not at all sorry for the stains.