Ceramic Vase - 19 cm - Pair of small jars

Pair of small short-neck jars with a bulging lip
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)
South China ( Anhui, Guangdong or Fujian kilns )
So-called “trade ceramics” productions
Coarse-grained stoneware with a lead glaze that is crackled
Height of the largest: 19 cm x 15 cm

Ensemble composed of two small ovoïde conical storage jars, featuring a pronounced shoulder and a short neck topped with a thick rounded lip. The body of the vessels is animated by faint horizontal grooves left by the potter’s wheel.

The jar on the left shows a dark brown draped with olive reflections, characterized by a fine speckled glaze, reminiscent of a “pear-skin” effect, ending irregularly just above an unglazed base.

The jar on the right bears a much lighter glaze, ranging from cream to pale amber-yellow, marked by a dense and pronounced network of crazing (crackle), typical of Songxi-type stoneware or certain provincial productions intended for export to Southeast Asia.

The base reveals a flat, slightly concave foot at the center, showing a coarse beige-gray stoneware paste dotted with iron impurities. The presence of cut marks along the underside attests to a quick, artisanal manufacturing technique typical of utilitarian pieces of the period.

These mid-sized jars were originally intended for the transport and storage of precious commodities (spices, condiments, oils, or medicinal wines). Produced in large quantities in private kilns of southern China, they were widely distributed along the Silk Road maritime routes. Their robustness and the sobriety of their lines give them today a raw, timeless aesthetic that is highly sought after.

State of conservation: Good condition with archaeological freshness.
Brown glaze: Signs of wear, chips, firing faults
Beige glaze: Signs of wear, chips, firing faults and restorations

Provenance: Kanaka The Collection

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