The korchaga was a large clay vessel. It had a wide variety of uses. It was used for heating water, making beer, kvass, and braga, as well as storing food and drinks such as grain and milk. It was also used for boiling laundry with lye. Later, cauldrons were made in the shape of korchagas.

According to historical records, in the 12th century, the korchaga served not only as a storage container but also as a unit of measure. One korchaga was equivalent to two buckets, which at that time did not have a standard size across Russia. The bucket varied in size from 12 to 15 liters in different regions. Therefore, it can be assumed that the korchaga held approximately 25 liters of liquid.

Craftsmen could give such vessels the shape of a pot or a jug with an elongated, almost cylindrical body. The korchaga often had a handle attached to the neck, as well as a shallow spout on the rim. Beer, kvass, and water were poured out of the korchaga through a hole in the body, which was located near the bottom and was closed with a stopper most of the time.

As a rule, the korchaga did not have a lid. When beer was brewed, it was covered with canvas smeared with dough. In the oven, the dough was baked into a dense crust that sealed the vessel. When boiling water or washing clothes, the korchaga was covered with a board after the fire in the oven had burned out for greater safety.

To prolong their life, korchagas could be wrapped with special ribbons made of birch bark. This protected the vessel’s walls. The korchaga from the Museum of Local Lore was produced in the early 20th century.

In his novel “Oblomov”, Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov mentioned this vessel. He wrote,