Chinese Ceramic Storage Vessel

Smoky olive, with drips that look like a spill of tea.

Potters in Shanxi Province, China, made this storage vessel in pottery in the early 19th century. Large clay jars like this were commonly used to store grain, liquids and household goods. The body is tall and egg-shaped with a small flared mouth, and the dark, olive-bronze surface is pitted with fine texture. Dark glossy drips run down from the shoulder, as though from an old glaze or residue.

About 27 inches tall and 18 wide. The biggest one of the group, and a moody one.