A jarlet fired in a Jianshui kiln in Yunnan. This jarlet holds cultural significance as one of the “five offerings” used in Azhaliism, a Vajrayana Buddhist religion practised among the Bai people. Specifically known as the Wǔgǔ guàn, meaning the “five grains jar,” this jar is part of the funerary goods employed in Azhaliist ceremonies.

During the Ming dynasty in Yunnan, cremation gained prevalence in conjunction with the practice of Azhaliism. The five offerings, including an incense burner, a pair of vases, and the five grains jar, were ceremoniously burned alongside the deceased, marking a departure from traditional burial customs.

While it is believed that this type of jarlet originally had a lid, it is absent in this piece. Apart from some minor glaze flakings, there are no noticeable defects.