This is an absolutely superb large antique Chinese hand thrown pottery urn shaped vase, possibly storage bottle.

It’s glazed in a gorgeous deep cobalt blue, and has wonderful inconsistent ribbing, commensurate with hand throwing.

You can physically feel the ridges undulating under your fingers.

The base is very interesting, in terms of colours and glaze etc.

It shows the original base pottery, which appears to be terracotta, and then the build up of the raw colours that have missed the glaze, showing up as plum, turquoise, burgundy and blue.

This is a truly beautiful provincial piece of period Chinese pottery, quite possibly utility wear, but so full of character and charm.

It has sustained some damage sadly, to the neck of the vase, which has been crudely restored, having been reglued and finished with a bronze coloured paint.

This is the only damage, apart from some fritting to the glaze at the base of the vase.

It stands 24cm high .

I’ve been advised that this is probably an early Cizhou wine bottle, and quite an early one.