Rare 19thc Chinese Folk Stoneware Jar With Bird-form Lid – Southern Kilns

An unusual and highly collectible example of 19th-century Chinese provincial ceramics. This stoneware jar, originating from the Guangdong or Jiangxi region during the Tongzhi–Guangxu era (c.1850–1890), represents the richly imaginative zoomorphic tradition of Southern kilns.

The vessel is masterfully shaped with two small applied lug handles and covered in a crackled ochre glaze. Its original lid is sculpted as a stylized bird's head, referencing early ritual forms while retaining the naive expressiveness of folk art. The jar is decorated under the glaze with vegetal scrolls and a small seated Daoist figure — iconography well-documented in southern ceramic workshops.

Firing scars on the base, patination inside the rim, and wear consistent with genuine 19th-century manufacture. No restorations or structural damage. An original carved wooden base is included.

Dimensions: Height with lid: 17.5 cm; Diameter: 11.5 cm; Weight: 574 g.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.