A particularly large antique French glazed terracotta gargoulette or water pitcher in a desirable, rare green glaze. Its original raison-d'etre was to keep water chilled in a cool Provençal or SW France cellar or surrounding fields when buried up to the line of the glazing.  

Wonderful flaking to the glaze, an impressive decorator's piece. Late 19th c.

This antique water pitcher, or gargoulette, dates back to the 19th c. when it would have been used to keep water chilled by being buried in the ground up to the line of the glazed surface. Alternatively, it may have originally been used to store olive oil or vinegar. The green glaze is rare.

Cut to the 21st c. where it would look the part as a stand alone piece or part of a collection in a contemporary kitchen. Perhaps used to display olive tree branches or sunflowers flowers?

This terracotta gargoulette would have been created in exactly the same way the confit pots immortalised by Vincent Van Gogh's sunflowers were. IMAGES 7 & 8. 

CONDITION REPORT. Excellent overall shape. Minor chips to the base. Nibbles and flaking to the rim, handle and spout as expected for its age and commensurate with the rustic nature of this piece and original usage.

Other antique Provençal gargoulettes are available here on eBay. SEE LAST FIVE IMAGES & SEPARATE LISTINGS.

Please look carefully at the images as they form part of the description.

Height: 38 cms. Width (OF SPOUT) : 7 cms. Diameter (AROUND BELLY): 27 cms. Weight: 4.6 Kgs.

Price: £160.00.  

Postage: £16.95. WILL BE DISPATCHED PROTECTED IN POLYSTYRENE OR SIMILAR. UK mainland dispatch by ParcelForce 48 tracked courier service, £16.95 added at checkout. For overseas dispatch refer to details of eBay's Global Shipping Programme by clicking on SEE DETAILS in postage section.

SKU: 12582.