Timeless Authentic Ceramics Handpicked in Southern Italy

A rare late-18th-century ceramic confit pot from Calabria, Southern Italy, decorated with a distinctive hand-painted Tree of Life motif in mustard yellow. Traditionally used to preserve foods such as anchovies, sardines, figs and olives in oil, this unique vessel is an evocative example of antique Southern Italian farmhouse pottery.

The simple, spontaneous Tree of Life decoration is particularly unusual in this yellow colourway, as similar motifs are more commonly found in green. Traditionally associated with longevity, good fortune and the hope of a plentiful harvest, the tree motif brings symbolic meaning to this rustic utilitarian vessel.

Its rounded form, understated decoration and naturally aged patina reflect the character of a ceramic pot used in everyday rural life. The surface has developed an individual appearance over time, giving the piece the depth and texture that make antique farmhouse pottery so distinctive.

The vasetto with handles vessel makes an impressive decorative statement. It can be displayed on its own or alongside other antique Italian ceramics, and used as a decorative vase for dried flowers or fresh stems with a separate watertight inner vessel.

Originally from Calabria, this piece was found in Ostuni, Puglia, the hilltop town in the Valle d’Itria known as La Città Bianca.

Details

• Period: Late 18th century, late 1700s

• Origin: Calabria, Southern Italy

• Found: Ostuni, Puglia

• Material: Ceramic / terracotta

• Original use: Food preservation, including olives, anchovies, sardines and figs in oil

• Decoration: Hand-painted Tree of Life motif

• Colour: Mustard yellow and buttermilk cream

• Form: Rounded confit pot with handles

• Dimensions: H23 × W20 × D17 cm

Authentic antique condition, with natural surface variation, aged patina and signs of age and use. These characteristics contribute to the individual character of the piece. Please refer to the photographs for a closer view of its condition. Colour may vary slightly from screen to screen.

A rare extra-large early-19th-century antique confit pot from Calabria, Southern Italy, featuring a spontaneous hand-painted Tree of Life motif in deep green. With its impressive 38.5 cm height, generous proportions and wonderfully rustic surface, this is an exceptional example of traditional Southern Italian farmhouse pottery.

Traditionally known as a vasetto, this type of ceramic vessel was used for preserving foods such as anchovies, sardines, figs and olives in olive oil. The large rounded form and side handles made it practical for storing and handling food in the family kitchen.

The hand-painted Tree of Life motif is particularly distinctive. Traditionally associated with good fortune, longevity and the hope of a plentiful harvest, the simple abstract design gives this otherwise rustic vessel a beautiful decorative quality.

The pot has developed an authentic patina through generations of everyday use and the natural ageing of the ceramic. Subtle variations in the glaze, surface and hand-painted decoration make this one-of-a-kind piece completely individual.

Today, this exceptional Calabrian confit pot works beautifully as a statement vase or decorative vessel. Its generous scale makes it particularly effective filled with branches or dried flowers, or displayed on its own as a sculptural piece.

Found in Ostuni, the whitewashed hilltop town of Puglia's Valle d'Itria, this vessel is a wonderful example of the diverse Southern Italian ceramics discovered by Rivesto.

Pair it with the matching Tree of Life vessels shown in the photographs for a striking collected display.

Details

• Period: Early 1800s

• Origin: Calabria, Southern Italy

• Found in: Ostuni, Valle d'Itria, Puglia

• Material: Hand-thrown ceramic / terracotta

• Traditional form: Vasetto / confit pot

• Decoration: Hand-painted Tree of Life motif

• Colour: Deep green

• Original use: Food preservation

• Features: Extra-large form and two handles

• Dimensions: H38.5 × W28 × D26 cm

As with all Rivesto antique ceramics, this piece is perfectly imperfect. Cracks, chips, discolouration and other signs of age may be present and form part of its authentic character and history. If using as a vase, we recommend placing a separate watertight vessel or glass vials inside. Please note that colours may vary slightly from screen to screen.