Chinese Wine Storage Jar

A big brown jar with a swirl in every inch of its skin.

Potters of Jiangxi Province, China, made this pottery wine storage jar in the early 20th century. Large glazed jars like this were commonly used to store wine, grain and preserved foods. The tall, rounded body curves in under a thick rolled rim. Rows of small stamped spiral motifs cover the surface, beneath a mottled brown to olive glaze that gathers darker toward the base. The rim shows reddish clay.

About 20 inches tall. Put it by a door and let it earn the floor space.