Chinese Shipwreck Funnel-Form Mercury Storage Vessel

Pale and tapering, with a pinhole mouth that clearly values discretion.

This shipwreck funnel-form mercury storage vessel is from Cizao Kilns, Fujian Province, China. It is stoneware. Wrecks such as the Turiang from about 1370, the Royal Nanhai from about 1460 and the Nanking cargo from about 1750 helped create shipwreck ceramics as a collecting category. Slim teardrop vessel in soft gray-white with squared shoulders and a tiny opening at the top. The body narrows to a small flat base, and small white flecks and faint ring marks mark the matte surface. It is 8.5 inches high and 5 in diameter.

A great deal of vessel for such a small doorway.