Here is a charming oil jug crafted in the workshop of peasant potters in Brioude, Auvergne, France, in the 17th century. It is adorned with a crown-shaped motif around the summit opening, a detail envisioned by the peasant who shaped it with precision and, clearly, with love too.
Here is a charming oil jug crafted in the workshop of peasant potters in Brioude, Auvergne, France, in the 17th century. It is adorned with a crown-shaped motif around the summit opening, a detail envisioned by the peasant who shaped it with precision and, clearly, with love too.
Peasant Crowned Jug – 17th Century – Auvergne – [PA086]
SOLD

It is quite rare to closely observe an authentic 17th-century pottery piece in such a beautiful condition! This walnut oil jug, formerly used for lighting, originates from the rural pottery center of Brioude in Haute-Loire, Auvergne, France. This workshop operated during the peak of winter when peasants were freed from fieldwork. Here, in the warmth near the kilns, they crafted pieces of great technical precision and touching artistic personality. Clearly evident is a simple and utilitarian production, yet a creative impulse is expressed uniquely through a surprising crown motif surrounding the wide summit opening. Additionally, one can observe the imprint of three fingers – index, middle, and ring fingers – pressed into the fresh clay of the handles to ensure their penetration into the body before firing. A charming detail is the glaze protecting the opening, which has escaped, creating a curved flow around the roundness of the body, forming what resembles a scarf.

Here is a charming oil jug crafted in the workshop of peasant potters in Brioude, Auvergne, France, in the 17th century. It is adorned with a crown-shaped motif around the summit opening, a detail envisioned by the peasant who shaped it with precision and, clearly, with love too.
Here is a charming oil jug crafted in the workshop of peasant potters in Brioude, Auvergne, France, in the 17th century. It is adorned with a crown-shaped motif around the summit opening, a detail envisioned by the peasant who shaped it with precision and, clearly, with love too.
A closer look reveals the glaze applied to the top of this jug to make it waterproof, preventing it from being soaked in oil during each refill. Recall that walnut oil was once used to illuminate every home with oil lamps fuelled by this essential mother jug.
A closer look reveals the glaze applied to the top of this jug to make it waterproof, preventing it from being soaked in oil during each refill. Recall that walnut oil was once used to illuminate every home with oil lamps fuelled by this essential mother jug.
At the base of each of the three handles, one can observe the imprint of the three fingers – index, middle, and ring fingers – pressed into their fresh clay to ensure their penetration into the body before firing.
At the base of each of the three handles, one can observe the imprint of the three fingers – index, middle, and ring fingers – pressed into their fresh clay to ensure their penetration into the body before firing.
A charming final detail is the glaze protecting the opening, which has escaped, creating a curved flow around the roundness of the body, forming what resembles a scarf.
A charming final detail is the glaze protecting the opening, which has escaped, creating a curved flow around the roundness of the body, forming what resembles a scarf.

Dimensions:
Height: 36 cm, Diameter: 29 cm.

Reference: [PAO86]