This is a small bowl with a high base made by a folk kiln in the late 19th or early 20th century that I found in Puglia.

The design, with its sturdy base, gives the dish a sense of stability at the dining table and also lends it a refined beauty.It has been used as everyday tableware by farmers to serve soup, bean dishes, and sometimes polenta.

Vessels with high bases go well with Japanese spaces, and can also be enjoyed as flower vases if used properly.