Signed, glazed clay pomegranate, meant to hold something small. Mexico?

If that had little holes in the sides, I think we'd have a match. I haven't seen pieces where you use tiny spoons to lift garlic (unless those holes one mine are for ventilation, but the placement suggests spoons, esp located exactly to the center of the side of each reservoir). Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm sort of less concerned with what it is although that would certainly help with listing, but wondered, was this a completely hand done piece from the get-go? Like a one of a kind, or was it some kind of mold? The exterior almost looks mass produced it is so perfect, glaze (or paint) plus details, but then the inside sort of rough w/that completely unfinished light tan colored clay, but then there's a signature. Any thoughts?

 

Here is what I call my "honey pot" since the finial has a bee yet the side has what looks like cherries and the top strawberries. So maybe it depends on the artist's decision on what he/she wants to use for decoration?



PS
I just remembered, when my middle daughter took a ceramics class in school she made a box and used a pinking shear design when she cut the clay and after it was fired the serrated edges fit perfect.

 

Hi,
When I gave my response I thought the interior was glazed. Since it is not I am even more puzzled.
greg

 

It is very much like a garlic holder. Mine ( which is more logicly shaped like garlic) has neither a hole nor a bar but those additions might have been an attempt to reduce the possibility of garlic (or some other plant that is stored similarly) getting moldy. I googled Uruguayan pottery under images and found quite a few items in a similar style. For what that's worth.

 

If it is intended for storage of something like garlic, that needs to be kept dry, it will not be glazed, because the porous clay draws out moisture. That unglazed interior is one reason I think the bar and hole are to help keep the stored item dry. Honey pots are glazed, and would have no reason for either the bar or the hole, so I don't believe there is any possibiity it is a honey pot.

 

reread the comments and found and googled janetpjohn's interpretation of the name as "urvez" Urvez is a Hindu name, so I googled Hindu pots. They use smudge/incense pots. Could it be for incense?

 

Every time I look at the siggie, I see U. Ruez

 

Hi, I wasn't sugesting OP's was a honey pot,only that mine has the bee representing honey ? yet its decor has fruit, more towards jelly/jam....like a pomogranite for honey. I was just showing the two unrelated decorations on mine.
So please pass the garlic so I may have some on my pomogranit toast.

 

Hi spirit-of-shiloh - there were comments before yours that suggested honey or jelly might be the purpose but I was just musing and had no one in particular in mind - or even honey really - just anything that would call for a glazed interior

And now I am musing about pomegranite toast. Wonder why no onemakes jam from it and if it is any good (I like garlic on just about everything else!)

 

Hi Lulu and welcome I Love garlic and pomegranites too. I often wondered why I never came across a pom jelly? Oh and garlic toast with a sprinkle of parmeasan is to die for
PS
And a sprinkle of Salad Supreme YUM!