I came across this jug at a garage sale today. I bought it from a very nice, cool old lady. A few pieces I bought from her she called old - they were from the 30's or 40's. This particular piece she referred to as 'very old'. I've never seen one quite like it.
Salt glazed stoneware jug. Many refer to them as moonshine or whiskey jugs, which it could very well have been. It's utilitarian ware which is why the crude look to it. It probably dates to the 20's or earlier. Hard to say where it's from. Certain people may be able to identify the region it was made by the color and type of clay used to make it, but I'm not one of those experts. I have a few of them. I will usually buy them if I see them for $5 or less.