A friend has identified this pot as, possibly, being made in Seto, Japan.  The 'chop' has also been identified - 祖洞園池勝製 .  I have seen similar pots on Japanese auction sites, but the bamboo design is not the same, and the pots were not signed.

It has been a real curiosity ever since I purchased it from a second-hand store many years ago for the sum of $24.00.

Can anyone can 'shed some light' on the history of this pot ??.