Overpainted Stoneware Pot

Hope to clean it completely. Only the upper part is glazed. Any suggestions on origin? Studio piece?

 

Frankly, I think calling it studio pottery is generous. It doesn't look like a bad pot but who in the world would decorate it like that and why only glaze the top? Maybe a student project that met with a tragic fate.
Don

 

The decoration was probably done by the previous owner. Don't what what pigment was used but came right off with light rubbing.
When cleaning I also found a clear coat on the inside that started pealing. Probably there for sealing reasons but why not just glaze the whole interior, or exterior.