Mid Century Chinese Communal Grain Measure Hebei or Shanxi Province

Mid-Century Chinese Communal Grain Measure Hebei or Shanxi Province, China Circa 1967 Materials: Elm and Pine staves, forged iron bands, cast iron hardware, black stenciled lacquer ink. This exceptional, heavy-duty communal vessel is an authentic artifact of agricultural and socio-political history from mid-20th-century mainland China. Utilizing traditional coopering methods, the container is constructed from thick, vertical wooden staves tapered into a unique oval silhouette to maximize structural integrity and allow for balanced, two-person carrying. It features robust, externally bolted iron bands and thick side-lifting handles engineered to withstand the weight of dense agricultural yields such as grain, rice, or seed crops. The front stenciling provides a precise historical anchor, dating the object directly to the height of the Cultural Revolution in 1967. The hand-painted markings reflect its registration into a state-managed local cooperative or revolutionary workplace unit. The top registry identifies the collective department as "张四祥" (Zhang Sixiang), while the lower line details the inventory date and administrative source: "一九六七 • 七 • 六 • 办" (1967, July / Unit 7 • Inventory No. 6 • Administrative Office). During this era of collectivized labor, everyday utilitarian objects were cataloged as public property. This piece survives with an incredible, undisturbed dark amber patina, highlighting its tight wood grain and decades of rigorous, functional use. The interior reveals heavy reinforcement nuts and stabilizing cross-brackets, illustrating the remarkable craftsmanship applied to rural industrial design. A striking, sculptural piece, this vessel stands as a powerful intersection of rustic folk art and 20th-century political history. Condition Report: Structure: Excellent structural integrity. Wood staves remain tightly fitted with minimal shrinkage or gapping. Hardware: All iron hoops, bolts, and brackets are completely original with an authentic oxidized patina. Surface: Superior aged patina with minor surface abrasions consistent with genuine historical use. Stenciled characters remain highly legible. Comes complete with its original fitted wooden lid and central lifter handle.