This stoneware jar, of the type often referred to as "proto-porcelain", dates to the latter part of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). The upper body, and inner mouth, are coated with a dark olive-green crackled glaze whilst the unglazed lower body has fired to a dark reddish-brown. On opposing sides are two sturdy and elaborate handles, each decorated with an impressed pattern, above which are applied scrolls. Under the glaze to the upper body are impressed bands that surround the body. To the lower neck is a wide band of impressed wavy lines. As is often the case with such ware, there are some glaze imperfections and firing "bubbles" to the surface in places. 

height 33.5 cm (13 inches). There are two simple museum-type repairs to rim chips as well as places to the rim where flaking glaze has been touched-in. 

For reference a similar, albeit smaller and inferior, example can be seen on page 182 of the book "Spirit of Han".

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