Storage Jars

20th century Origin: Kashmir Material: Terracotta This traditional Matth is a large earthenware storage vessel used in Kashmiri households for preserving rice, grains, and other foodstuffs through the long winter months. Hand-built from terracotta and fired without elaborate glazing, these robust containers were valued for their durability, affordability, and ability to protect stored provisions from moisture and pests. Larger examples could reach substantial sizes and formed an essential part of household food storage in both rural and urban Kashmir. Characterized by their broad bodies, narrow mouths, and applied horizontal bands, Matth vessels reflect a long-standing tradition of utilitarian pottery adapted to the climatic demands of the Valley. Beyond their practical function, they represent an important aspect of Kashmiri domestic life and traditional terracotta craftsmanship. Private collection: Trām and Beyond

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