Vintage Terracotta Serving Bowl with Cherry Motif 14½"

A vintage locally made terracotta serving bowl from the kitchen at Chanteduc, Patricia Wells’s Provençal home. Crafted in warm earthenware, its exterior gleams in a deep russet glaze, while the interior is a soft butter yellow, hand painted with jaunty cherry sprigs and fine concentric lines at the rim. The surface has the even, gentle character of a well cared for piece with no visible chips. Patricia explains, “I bought this during the height of my cherry obsession. It’s easily 40 years old and perfect for cherries!” When Patricia and Walter first bought Chanteduc, there were seven very old cherry trees. Patricia became Madame Cerise! Anything with a cherry on it she bought, including pillows, posters, clothing and even earrings! Low and wide, the bowl sits lightly on a small foot and feels made for the table. Its unfussy charm reflects Patricia’s intelligent simplicity and the convivial rhythm of life at Chanteduc, where market fruit and garden harvests find their way into lessons, lunches and books. Use it as intended and heap it with cherries in season, or let it showcase apricots or tomatoes. It also brings a bright note to simple salads. When not in use, display it on open shelving or a kitchen dresser so the cherry motif can lend a cheerful Provençal accent to the room.