Large antique French confit pot w/ ocher glaze 11½"

This antique demi-glazed yellow confit pot from southwest France exudes charm with its yellow ocher glaze and aged character. It features two glazed handles and a gracefully tapered, unglazed base (note some losses to glaze as seen in photos).

Confit pots like these were designed with a half-glazed exterior for practical reasons. Firstly, it prevented rodents from gripping onto the surface and accessing the contents. Secondly, the interior and top half of the exterior were glazed to facilitate evaporation and keep the pot cool. Traditionally, these pots were buried in cellar ground to preserve contents, typically meat sealed with fat. Terracotta, being moisture-absorbent and cooling, was the preferred material, allowing the cool earth to reach the contents inside. Today, these charming pieces offer a touch of Provence to any space or complement existing French pottery collections. When used for flowers, it's advisable to place a container inside to prevent condensation.

Browse similar pots.