Bidspirit auction | A Chinese Cizhou-type Jar, Possibly

A Chinese Cizhou-type Jar, Possibly Ming Dynasty. - A Chinese Cizhou-type jar. This small ceramic jar features a globular body tapering to a short neck with a rolled rim and an unglazed base. It is crafted from a light brown stoneware or earthenware body and covered with an off-white or cream-colored glaze. The jar is decorated with hand-painted brown underglaze motifs, arranged in horizontal bands: a main central band with Chinese calligraphy, bordered by bands of scrolling foliage and geometric patterns above and below. The visible characters on the main band read ”第四千五百一斤香高胡” (Dì sì qiān wǔ bǎi yī jīn xiāng gāo hú), which translates to ”Fourth thousand five hundred one catty fragrant high foreign/barbarian, ” suggesting the jar's original purpose was for storing spices or fragrant goods, along with an inventory or quantity marking. H: Approximately 10cm Provenance: Private collection based in West London.