Chinese Ceramic Vessel

Pot dipped in black, with the glaze running out like spilled ink.

This terra cotta vessel from Shanxi Province is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the early 20th century. Shanxi Province in northern China has a long tradition of earthenware making, with local kilns producing everyday jars and storage vessels for farming households. Straight-sided, tapering jar with a cream-coloured band at the top and a glossy dark glaze pooling and dripping unevenly below it. Pale scrapes and nicks show at the base, and faint rings circle the wall. It is 20 inches high and 20.5 in diameter.

Messy in the best, most hand-made way.