Antique Chinese Wicker & Clay Oil Bottle Loam Basket

A tactile blend of earth, fire, and handwoven reed, this Antique Chinese Oil Bottle, often referred to as a Loam Basket, carries the quiet weight of time and tradition. Once used across rural Chinese villages to store cooking oils, fermented sauces, or rice wine, these vessels were a staple in the kitchens and markets of northern and central China.

Each piece was handmade from fired clay, then encased in a woven wicker shell for added strength, insulation, and portability. The result is a piece that feels as rooted in the earth as the hands that made it. Raw, textural, and beautifully imperfect.

Crafted using loam-rich clay, these jars were often produced in the provinces of Henan, Hebei, or Shaanxi, where local artisans developed a utilitarian form that also served an aesthetic role in daily life. The combination of durable stoneware necks and organic rattan or reed weaves reflects the ingenuity of peasant households, simple materials transformed into lasting functionality.

The rounded shoulders and squat form were designed for stability during transport, often slung into carts or balanced between baskets on carrying poles. Today, they’re rare survivors of domestic Chinese history.

Age: 70+ years old

Dimensions (cm): TBC

Colour/Hue: Dark aged

Material: Woven wicker, clay

Care Instructions: Wipe with a dry cloth

Original Use: Store cooking oils, fermented sauces, or rice wine

Origin: Shaanxi, China