Chinese Wine Storage Jar

Brown as strong tea, glossy as a well-kept table.

Potters in Jiangxi Province, China, made this wine storage jar in pottery in the early 20th century. Large glazed jars like it were commonly used across China to hold wine, grain and pickled foods. The body is broad and rounded, rising to a thick, unglazed rim the color of terracotta. A deep brown glaze covers the rest, pooling dark and thinning to amber, with a round pale mark on one shoulder and streaks running down the side. The surface is glossy and substantial.

About 33 inches. Plant a small tree in it, or stand a lamp beside it. It will accept either.