Imperial oil jug – 19ᵗʰ century – Quercy – [PA072]
Among the jewels of the salesroom gallery Aux-Rois-Louis, emerges this astonishing pottery which immediately evokes a beauty in an evening dress.
Among the jewels of the salesroom gallery Aux-Rois-Louis, emerges this astonishing pottery which immediately evokes a beauty in an evening dress.

She advances, as if towards an opera box, dressed in her sequined black evening dress and sporting on her throat her prettiest long necklace composed of pearls in the shape of flowers, of which one imagines each petal adorned with precious stones.

Yes, I am talking to you about an oil jug modeled under the amazed hands of a master potter from the depths of Quercy in the 19ᵗʰ century. Perhaps during the reign of Napoleon Iᵉʳ, with as a source of inspiration this noble and proud air that Josephine addresses to us on her famous portrait “in coronation costume”, a splendid canvas today visible in Périgord at Cendrieux, in the residence of Baudoin-Napoleon de Witt who inherited it.

« Joséphine en costume de Sacre » (Joséphine in Coronation Costume), painted by François Gérard. Napoleon Museum Collection – Cendrieux – Périgord – France
« Joséphine en costume de Sacre » (Joséphine in Coronation Costume), painted by François Gérard. Napoleon Museum Collection – Cendrieux – Périgord – France
The flower necklace that underlines the spout and caresses the belly of this jug like a precious jewel is the signature of its author, resolutely fell under the spell of what was born under his hands.
The flower necklace that underlines the spout and caresses the belly of this jug like a precious jewel is the signature of its author, resolutely fell under the spell of what was born under his hands.
Count Baudoin-Napoleon de Witt, great-great-grandnephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, presents to us the portrait of “Joséphine en costume de Sacre” in the Napoleon Museum that he created at the Château de la Pommerie in Cendrieux - Périgord - FRANCE
Count Baudoin-Napoleon de Witt, great-great-grandnephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, presents to us the portrait of “Joséphine en costume de Sacre” in the Napoleon Museum that he created at the Château de la Pommerie in Cendrieux - Périgord - FRANCE
Napoleon Museum – Château de la Pommerie in Cendrieux – Périgord – FRANCE
Napoleon Museum – Château de la Pommerie in Cendrieux – Périgord – FRANCE

It is precisely in the heart of noble houses, such as this Château de la Pommerie in Périgord, that this type of ancient pottery knew its hour of glory, illuminating each residence thanks to the walnut oil which it protected in its belly.

  • Its tubular spout made it possible to fill oil lamps without losing a single drop.
  • Its fluted handles kept it leaning.
  • The imprint of the potter’s fingers is revealed on the attachment of the handles to the body on which he had to press hard to weld them well.
  • As for the flower necklace which underlines the spout and caresses the belly like a precious jewel, it is the signature of its author, resolutely fallen under the spell of what was born under his hands.
The imprint of the potter's fingers is revealed on the attachment of the handles to the body on which he had to press hard to weld them well.
The imprint of the potter's fingers is revealed on the attachment of the handles to the body on which he had to press hard to weld them well.
It is this very special flower necklace that makes this piece a unique work.
It is this very special flower necklace that makes this piece a unique work.

Dimensions

Height: 31cm, diameter: 33cm.

Reference : [PA072]

Item shown as an example. Please contact David on 06 78 92 61 98 if you would like him to offer you similar pieces.