Relief-Decorated Red Clay Ginger Jar with Dragon Motif

This item is a decorative lidded jar, likely a ginger jar, crafted from terracotta-toned red clay and features a high-relief carved or molded design. The central aesthetic element is an East Asian style dragon, specifically a lung dragon, which wraps around the bulbous body of the vessel. The dragon is depicted with scaly skin, sharp claws, and a flowing mane, set against a background of vertical striations that suggest motion or water. The jar is finished with a dark brown or matte black slip or wash that predominantly rests in the recessed areas, creating a high-contrast 'antique' effect that emphasizes the raised orange-red clay details. The lid is domed and matching in style, featuring similar vertical ribbing and a simple rounded finial. In terms of condition, there are visible surface abrasions and paint/slip loss throughout, most notably on the raised parts of the dragon and the lid's finial, exposing the light-colored clay underneath. These chips suggest a mid-20th-century decorative piece, possibly an export item from East Asia or a 'Tiki-era' decor object. The craftsmanship shows mass-produced qualities with some hand-finishing in the relief work. There are no visible maker's marks in this view, and the overall patina appears to be a mix of intentional distressing and genuine shelf wear.