DIA80xW120xH120, China
This is a container for the oil used for the oil lamp. A very common item in the old days when oil lamp is the only form of lighting for the common people. In China, the fuel used for the lamps would be tung oil – oil obtained from the seed of the tung tree (Vernicia Fordii). During the second world war when food is scarce, dishonest merchants would sell cooking oil mixed with tung oil. As the two oil have different density, the cooking oil would be floated on top, once the thin layer of oil is used, the customers will discover they have in fact paid a premium for the cheap tung oil. Worse of all the food cooked would be spoiled and everyone would get an upset tummy. :(
Mountain Folkcraft 