Timeless Authentic Ceramics Handpicked in Southern Italy

A beautiful mid-19th-century antique Italian confit pot from Grottaglie, Puglia, featuring an iridescent pistachio-green glaze and two distinctive side handles. Hand thrown and traditionally made for domestic use, this rustic ceramic vessel was originally used to preserve foods such as olives, artichokes and anchovies in olive oil.

The pot has a wonderfully characterful half-glazed finish, with deep green glaze covering the upper section and areas of raw terracotta visible towards the base. The glaze drips naturally down one side, while the beautifully aged surface reveals the patina of generations of use.

The partial glazing was practical rather than purely decorative. Glazed surfaces were easier to keep clean, while the use of glaze only where necessary helped reduce the cost of production at a time when glazing was an expensive process.

Found in Ostuni, in the Valle d'Itria, this one-of-a-kind example of traditional Puglian domestic pottery brings the rustic character of Southern Italy into a contemporary interior. Today, it works beautifully as a decorative vessel or vase for flowers.

Details

• Period: Mid-1800s

• Origin: Grottaglie, Puglia, Italy

• Found in: Ostuni, Valle d'Itria

• Material: Hand-thrown terracotta / ceramic

• Glaze: Iridescent pistachio and deep green

• Features: Two handles and partial glaze

• Original use: Food preservation

• Dimensions: H22 × W20 × D19 cm

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

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.