Rare crumpled Late 16th Century Fréjus Olive jar w/ maker's stamps 31½"

This extraordinary large terracotta olive jar, crafted in Fréjus during the late 16th to early 17th century, exemplifies the Mediterranean pottery tradition. Fréjus, located along the Mediterranean coast in southeastern France, was an important Roman port city, and its rich clay deposits made it a prime location for pottery production. Potters in Fréjus, like their counterparts in nearby Biot, specialized in creating large utilitarian jars used for storing essential goods such as olive oil and grains.

This jar is adorned with maker’s stamps along the rim, a hallmark of authenticity. The unique characteristic of this piece is how the clay collapsed under its own weight during firing, yet it was still completed and put to use—a testament to the practical nature of Mediterranean pottery. Jars like this one were crucial in everyday life for the storage of goods, and this jar’s weathered patina tells the story of centuries of use and history. For further reading on the historical significance of these jars, see Biot Jarres, terrailles et fontaines, XVIeme-XXeme siècles by Henri Amoric, 2006.