Dug up a strange clay jar on the beach in California

[dsh3c0x]

I'm trying to figure out what this thing is. My girlfriend dug it out of the sand at low tide. It's about .5 meters long, made of very rough unglazed clay, hollow; open on the left end (top is broken off, not found). The two holes on the left impinge on the cavity, so obviously it can't be used to store a liquid. I'll post a better description after I clean it up and take better pictures.


*Update 2015/01/08*
Below are a few pictures of the thing in full profile. Banana and soda bottle for scale. As you can see, the jar was pinched together, not turned on a wheel. Definitely not made by a craftsman.


Bottom markings, with a positive clay impression for clarity.


Details of the top set of holes, which purposely go through to the cavity (i.e. there weren't any spouts that broke off, or anything like that.)


Details of the embellishments. The brown glaze was applied pretty thickly.


And lastly, details of the broken top.

 

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[ARC]

Wow... now that is "different" now isn't it....
Hmmm mystery piece...
Pleasse post more pics...
the ends etc.
Cleaned with a reference like coke can beside it.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Just from the pics it kind of looks like a boat bumper or a fishing net float are you positive it is clay or ceramic and not really weathered rubber or plastic?

 

[RelicDude]

Now that is interesting could you post a pic of the piece cleaned up?

 

[bigfoot1]

Im with back of boat.I can see the wrinkles created whem some plastics dry out.

 

[bigfoot1]

heat up a needle/dart etc.get it good and hot then push against item.if clay if wont penetrate or create a smell

 

[unclemac]

for drainage?

 

[dsh3c0x]

Yeah, it kinda looks like a bumper, but it is indeed clay. Any other ideas?

 

[dsh3c0x]

for drainage?

Maybe....or for airflow? For drying something?

 

[ARC]

here is a couple of wild guesses... BECAUSE...
This is not old.

Art class project gone bad...
Got laughed at in class...
went to bridge ...
tossed.
OR
Was Ex gift...
Tired of looking at it...
tossed.
OR
Floated over from Japan tsunami debri

 

[unclemac]

...yes, not old, that i feel comfortable with. But it does look like it was made to function in some way, not particularly decorative.

 

[Mackaydon]

Maybe an artifact from the Chumash Indians or others native to that area.
Don........

 

[unclemac]

not with that glaze and those marks on the bottom....

 

[Lost&Found]

Below the incised marks you drew from the picture there looks like a a makers mark with a script word (looks like a flask). Can you magnify it?

 

[aka da Prof]

--ahh, the 'lost TIS' bottle---(if you know the old story)-- assuming no genie appeared when you polished it up---

 

[dsh3c0x]

Below the incised marks you drew from the picture there looks like a a makers mark with a script word (looks like a flask). Can you magnify it?

Here you go!

 

[dsh3c0x]

here is a couple of wild guesses... BECAUSE...
This is not old.

Art class project gone bad...
Got laughed at in class...
went to bridge ...
tossed.
OR
Was Ex gift...
Tired of looking at it...
tossed.
OR
Floated over from Japan tsunami debri

Ha ha, yes! I'm going with the first one. This thing was clearly made by a small child

 

[dsh3c0x]

...yes, not old, that i feel comfortable with. But it does look like it was made to function in some way, not particularly decorative.

I have to agree that it served some function; I don't know if it's clear from the pictures, but the bottom two sets of holes do not penetrate to the inside, while the top set does. That was intentional. If someone can provide a rationale for the top holes, I would be thrilled.

 

[dsh3c0x]

Could it be an incense jar? That may explain the through holes....

Does anyone recognize the script on the bottom?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

My guess would be an artistic vase for dried arrangement - like this