Pair of French Handmade Confit / Storage / Water Jugs - Terracotta Base with Green Upper Glaze

Antique handmade storage jugs; clay firing in colour to brownish-orange, and coated with a layer of vibrant green glaze.

Identifying a date of making is difficult with most earthenware pots of this style, but we can be sure these pots pre-date refrigeration. Containers such as these were typically half-glazed to be buried in the ground for cooling contents to earth temperature. The flat base allows easy storage in stone pantries and larders.

Green glazing is unusual - rarer than the more widely found orange glaze. The colour of the glaze may have indicated content, but green may also have emerged as a local or regional colour - we think these pots may have originated in the South of France.

These confit pots each have a ribbed handle which helps with non-slip holding, and fine spouts remaining intact, suggesting content would have been liquid such as water, olive oil, brine, or vinegar.

In remarkably good condition, the glaze remains firm on both pots, displaying all the beautiful markers of everyday use such as feather-fine lines, small chips and minor knocks. The spillage of glaze on the unglazed area adds rustic charm.

How do we deliver?

We would be nervous, trusting these lovely items to the post!

We like to see your selected item arrive safely, so it's Free Delivery for You, up to 50 miles of our location in Milton Keynes. From 50 miles we operate a banded fuel charge. Collection is available from our Blackphonevintage workshop, 10 minutes from Junction 14 of the M1.

Simply send an inquiry to Margaret and we can help find the best solution for you.

Height 33cm
Width 22cm