Stoneware jug with pouring spout – wood-fired French grès, 19th – early 20th century

Stoneware jug with pouring lip – wood-fired French grès, 19th – early 20th century

A large, honest stoneware jug (cruche, pichet, grès) with a small strap handle and a pinched pouring lip. The ovoid body was thrown on the wheel; the throwing rings can still be felt on the shoulder. The piece is wood-fired: in the kiln, ash fell on the shoulder and melted into a natural ash glaze in honey and sand tones, with long drips running over the red-brown, partly unglazed body. Jugs like this were used in France for water, cider, oil or brandy. Shape and firing are consistent with the traditional grès of Normandy (Domfrontais) or other French stoneware centres such as the Puisaye and the Berry.

Why we chose this piece

With utilitarian pottery like this, the fire created the decoration: no two jugs are alike. The warm transition from terracotta to sand-coloured ash glaze, the dark iron specks and the drips give this jug a painterly, almost abstract quality. A robust yet understated object.

Style and interior

Beautiful in a country, wabi-sabi or French brocante interior: on an old table, a windowsill or the floor beside a cabinet, empty or with branches and dried flowers. It combines well with wood, linen and other old pottery.

Dimensions: height 34 cm, diameter 24 cm
Material: wood-fired stoneware (grès) with natural ash glaze, unglazed base
Period: 19th – early 20th century
Origin: France (e.g. Normandy / Domfrontais); pottery unknown
Condition: intact, free of chips or cracks. The jug shows the characteristics of wood firing and of use: varying glaze coverage, drips, dark iron specks, a few kiln scars where the jug touched other pieces or kiln grit during firing (photos 3 and 4), and light wear and discolouration to the unglazed base (photo 5).

Price:
€ 95

Worldwide shipping is available. Shipping costs are calculated separately based on destination, size and weight.

More about this style: French country living: wood, stone and the calm of country life

Also in this style

Green glass demijohn – dame-jeanne, c. 1930–1960€ 85Woodcut ‘Le Mas du Midi’ – landscape in the south of France, monogrammed JM€ 40Narrow chest with 18 small drawers – worn cream and green paint, c. 1900–1940€ 245Extra large pine farmhouse table – 238 cm, French country style, 20th century€ 275