Early 20th Century French Advertising Match Striker - 4"

A porcelain advertising match striker from the early 20th century, produced for a distillery in Tournus, Burgundy. The piece combines a white-glazed, bell-shaped base lettered in deep red for the Tournus distillery of Jannin et Chambon with a ribbed, unglazed conical collar. This upper section was designed both to hold matches in the central well and to strike them against the ridged striking surface. The glaze shows gentle speckling and a few tiny nicks that add to its vintage character, while the striker band bears light natural darkening from use.

As a functional match striker, this type of object was a familiar sight on bar and café counters from the late 19th century through the 1920s. Distilleries and breweries frequently commissioned such pieces as everyday advertising, typically combining a porcelain base with transfer lettering and an unglazed biscuit striker. 

Ideal by a mantel or bar cart, it lends an authentic note to candle-lighting rituals and gatherings. Designed for strike-anywhere matches, it may also be repurposed to hold toothpicks or incense sticks. Its compact profile and bold typography add graphic character to a shelf vignette of glassware, decanters, or small framed prints.

Condition and patina consistent with age.
Approx. overall 4" high x 4" diameter
Approx. overall 10cm high x 10cm diameter