Donna Nielsen writes that anciently, travelers were often desirous to take home a representative vessel showing the workmanship of the craftsmen in that area. One could request that the potter choose the very best from among all his vessels. After selecting the vessel the potter would hand it to the traveler saying, "I will never be ashamed to send this vessel to any part of the world, for I have chosen it, and I know it will never put me to shame. It is a chosen vessel. It may look the same to you as the other vessels; it may not even seem very attractive, but it will stand the test. Because it will bring me honor, I have chosen this vessel (See Ephesians 1:4)."
Mary was named in scripture as having this title of honor:
And behold, he shall be born of Mary . . . she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost; and bring forth a son, yea, even the son of God. (Alma 7:10)
It is also interesting that Paul the Apostle was also identified with the same phrase: "But the Lord said unto him [Ananias], Go thy way: for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." (Acts 9:15) [Donna B. Nielsen, Beloved Bridegroom: Finding Christ in Ancient Jewish Marriage and Family Customs, pp. 153-154]