Birmingham, AL
Details
- Dimensions
- 13.5ʺW × 13.5ʺD × 16ʺH
- Styles
- French
- Period
- Early 19th Century
- Country of Origin
- France
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
Shop Sustainably with Chairish
- Materials
- Clay
- Earthenware
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Green
- Condition Notes
- Wear consistent with age and use. Wear consistent with age and use. less
- Description
-
A large and exceptional early 19th century French terracotta walnut oil jug, probably from the Auvergne region, with a beautiful …
more
A large and exceptional early 19th century French terracotta walnut oil jug, probably from the Auvergne region, with a beautiful and vibrant green glaze, circa 1810s. Having a round shaped belly with three high arching looped handles and a pouring spout, this superb glazed earthenware jug has great sculptural form and artisan quality featuring pretty chain link designs and snake like strips made by the potter pressing into the clay with his fingertips and imprinting curves as he pleased. It's very rare to find one of these jugs, especially one with three handles, in such wonderful condition. A lovely decorative piece, this classic French walnut oil jug is highly collectible because of its colorful and hard-to-find green glaze and will be a fabulous addition to any collection, adding a delightful touch of French Country charm wherever it's placed.
During the 18th century, the main source of energy to light everything from castles to cathedrals and humble homes to lights on the streets, was walnut oil. It was used to fuel lamps, hence the importance of oil jug storage capacity. Provincial potters would compete against one another for technical talent, originality, and trademark in the production of these practical yet decorative utilitarian jugs that were an indispensable utensil in each household to store walnut oil for household lighting. From the mid-19th century, due to the import of lighting fuel and the discovery of tin, tin and zinc pitchers replaced the clay jugs, which fell into disuse. These obsolete jugs were rediscovered after the Second World War and have since become a part of France's cultural heritage and a testimony to a craft that has died out.
Dimensions:
h - 16"
diameter - 13.5"
mouth - 5.5" less
Birmingham, AL
Questions about the item?
Featured Promoted Listings
Related Collections
- 1800s Perfume Bottles
- 1950s Perfume Bottles
- Almond Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Pine Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Outsider and Self Taught Art Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Jasper Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Carl Auböck Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Kenneth Ludwig Chicago Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Onyx Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Fruitwood Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Murano, Venini and Co. Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Timo Sarpaneva Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Iittala Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Royal Worcester Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Tiffany and Co. Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Creamware Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Plaster Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Pyrex Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Mahogany Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Kosta Boda Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Lead Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Robert Eickholt Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Belle Epoque Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Orrefors Bottles and Jars and Jugs
- Renaissance Bottles and Jars and Jugs