I have this unusual and extremely hard and dense Chinese stoneware jar made possibly of Yixing clay of buff colour as the clay is semi porous .A normal stoneware clay heated at 1100-1200 C becomes vitreous and impermeable and this is not the case as minimal absorption occurs once water is poured in the inner parts of the clay body.The extraordinary weight of 11 kilos is due to its high iron content(as seen in picture) most likely a stone clay from Yixing region . It’s an uncommon shape vase / jar with a cover made with a Sang De Boeuf glaze with light pale green thinning's at the rims with neatly perfect drop down of this extremely difficult oxblood firing technique. Interestingly, the cover displays five spur marks (sesame seeds) indicating the support stilts used for this ancient practice during the heating process in the traditional kilns during glazing.The spur marks is exciting as it looks original and undisturbed and filled with the same clay material, thus giving more clues and evidence in dating and its origins. It measures 33 cm in height and 23 on top and narrow bottom of 20 cm with all equal four sides. It was drilled for electricity before as I have discovered and purchased as a lamp shade in an antique shop and I have dismantled it and removed the black bottom covering cloth underneath. Possibly a 17th century Kangshi period ware commonly for the western export market and being stoneware it is unmarked with its sang the beauf glaze characteristics of that period.

I have this unusual and extremely hard and dense Chinese stoneware jar made possibly of Yixing clay of buff colour as the clay is semi porous .A normal stoneware clay heated at 1100-1200 C becomes vitreous and impermeable and this is not the case as minimal absorption occurs once water is poured in the inner parts of the clay body.The extraordinary weight of 11 kilos is due to its high iron content(as seen in picture) most likely a stone clay from Yixing region . It’s an uncommon shape vase / jar with a cover made with a Sang De Boeuf glaze with light pale green thinning's at the rims with neatly perfect drop down of this extremely difficult oxblood firing technique. Interestingly, the cover displays five spur marks (sesame seeds) indicating the support stilts used for this ancient practice during the heating process in the traditional kilns during glazing.The spur marks is exciting as it looks original and undisturbed and filled with the same clay material, thus giving more clues and evidence in dating and its origins. It measures 33 cm in height and 23 on top and narrow bottom of 20 cm with all equal four sides. It was drilled for electricity before as I have discovered and purchased as a lamp shade in an antique shop and I have dismantled it and removed the black bottom covering cloth underneath. Possibly a 17th century Kangshi period ware commonly for the western export market and being stoneware it is unmarked with its sang the beauf glaze characteristics of that period.