The brown pot is made from Yixing or Zisha Clay . This ' purple ' Clay is used for teapots , bonsai pots , decorative items , cookware and cups . Teapots older than 2030 years are quite desirable and collectible due to declining amounts of high quality clay . I don ' t know about the market for plant pots , especially ones not in a traditional shape for bonsaiThus appears to be a pot designed for export . The sculptural elements are not very refined so this is probably a factory piece and was mass produced . I can ' t tell from the picture if this was coil constructed traditional method for Zisha , and more desirable or slip cast which would be more a factory production method . Artisan made pieces would have several embossed stamps that look like a chop mark that indicate factory maker etc . In general more stamps mean a better documented and nicer piece of pottery . Eta I see one leg is different from the other are there three legs ? Are two fancy and one plain ? This may give a clue for its intended use . How big is this ? If it ' s the size of a small waste paper basket it might be a brazier used with charcoal to heat a tea kettle .