Large earthenware Antique Alsatian fish mold w/ brown glaze 16½"

A large fish mold from the Alsace region made from terracotta with rich brown glaze. It sits on three little intergral feet. The elongated fish form is crisply modeled with scalloped scales, an incised eye and gills, and a fan tail, the interior coated in a rich brown honey glaze and the exterior left unglazed.

Fish molds of this type were traditional in the kitchens of Alsace, where workshops such as those around Soufflenheim produced robust earthenware for everyday use. The glossy brown glaze sealed the clay for cooking and helped release terrines, pâtés and aspics, while the molded scales printed a lively relief on the finished dish. The subject reflects regional cuisine and a Rhineland taste shaped by French and Germanic savoir-faire, with fish serving both festive tables and Friday meals.

Ideal for kitchen display, it reads beautifully on open shelving or propped on a dresser among copper and ironstone. In a coastal interior, the silhouette makes an easy link to maritime motifs, whether hung on a wall with a secure plate hanger or laid flat as a sculptural accent. It can also serve as a charming catchall on a console or island, recommended for decorative use.

Light wear.
Approx. overall 3½" high x 16½" long x 7" wide
Approx. overall 9cm high x 42cm long x 18cm wide