Late 19th-Century Large Terracotta Confit Pot w/ Ochre Glaze - 12½"

This antique glazed terracotta preserving pot presents a classic ovoid form with broad shoulders, twin pulled loop handles, and an everted rolled rim. The upper half carries a warm mustard glaze with visible drip runs, while the lower body is left unglazed in a natural earthen tone with tactile texture. Condition is timeworn, with chips and scattered glaze losses that add to its rustic charm.

Such vessels were traditionally used for kitchen storage and preserving, most famously for cooked meats sealed under a layer of fat, a technique known as confit, from which the pots take their name. The interior and upper section were glazed to resist absorption and allow easy cleaning, while the unglazed base enabled the pot to be set into cool earth for natural temperature regulation. The sunny ochre glaze and sturdy handles are hallmarks of rural potteries in Provence and surrounding regions, reflecting the handmade, practical elegance of village craft.

In today’s interiors, this pot serves as a sculptural accent with authentic farmhouse character. It sits beautifully on open shelving, a console, or a sideboard, and can hold dried branches, herbs, or utensils with a liner. Its warm glaze and earthy base lend natural texture to stone, wood, and linen.