Ovoid Bottle, late 12th century, 8 9/16 x 7 11/16 in. (21.75 x 19.53 cm), Huai-jen ware Stoneware with dark-brown glaze and 'cut-glaze' decoration, China, 12th century, Probably intended for wine, this ovoid bottle is covered with a nearly black glaze into which a decorative scheme was incised and carved before firing. The dark glaze design elements appear against the light grey ground of the exposed body clay. Commonly known as the 'cut-glaze' technique, this decoration was most likely inspired by the partially glazed brown and white ceramics produced during the Tang dynasty (ninth century) at the Huangbu kilns.