Chinese Ceramic Vessel

A cream-glazed jar with small loops at the shoulder and a bare clay foot, set down without ceremony.

This vessel is from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China, is contemporary, and is made of glazed pottery. Chinese potters have long made tall jars of this kind with loop handles, in forms often traced to Tang and Song dynasty styles. This one has a tall, swelling body that narrows to a short, flared neck with a rolled rim. Three small loop handles sit on the shoulder. A soft white glaze covers most of the surface, stopping above a band of bare brown clay at the foot. It is 17 inches high and 11 in diameter.

Quiet, tall, and entirely without airs.