Chinese Wine Storage Vessel

A long egg of grey clay, ridged like sand after the tide.

Made in Shanxi Province, China, in the early 19th century, this wine storage vessel is in pottery. Tall jars like it were commonly used for storing wine and other liquids. An elongated oval body tapers to a narrow base, with a short, flared neck and a small lip. Uneven combed ridges swirl across the surface, which shows grey, brown and earthy patches.

About 24 inches tall and 14 wide. A tall, spare jar, quiet but not shy, and happy beside a window.