Lidded Jar with sprig design c. early 20th century

This lidded jar with sprig design was made by an anonymous artist, and I wonder about the story behind the hands that shaped it. Look at the casual blue sprig – it’s not trying too hard, is it? It reminds me that art making is really just a process. The clay itself has a sort of lumpy texture, it’s not super refined, and that makes it feel really honest, really human. The glaze is thin, so you can see the material underneath – a bit like a watercolour. It’s kind of see-through, not at all like some of those porcelain pots that look like they're trying to be perfect. The sprig itself is just a few brushstrokes. They seem so simple, but they're so sure. Each stroke has a beginning and an end, a weight and a lightness. I think it could have been made by Cy Twombly, but I’m glad that the artist here is anonymous. It feels like a gift, unburdened by ego. That’s what art should be, right? A little bit mysterious, a little bit generous.