Vaso - Argilla - Vaso/barattolo antico Confit

Stunning antique French Confit pot/jar.
Outside yellow glazing with on the inside traces of the white glaze. Traces of use giving the pot an extraordinary aesthetic.

The colors are more beautiful in real life

Confit pots, an essential element of French Country style, are cherished for their rich history and distinctive beauty. Typically glazed in luminous golden yellow or the rarer green, these terra cotta pots were historically used in French kitchens to preserve goose or duck, leveraging the confit technique—derived from the French word "confire," meaning "to preserve." Before refrigeration became common, these pots were a staple in rural French homes, where cooks would slow-cook meat in its own fat until tender, then cool and store the pots in cellars with earthen floors. The partial glazing, usually only on the upper part of the pots, was intentional; the unglazed lower half utilized the cool earth to help preserve the contents.

These pots are not only admired for their functionality but also for their aesthetic appeal, making them highly sought after by decorators, collectors, and Francophiles. Many confit pots feature "ears"—small ring-like handles on the sides—and come in various sizes. The smaller pots, which were likely used more frequently and are thus rarer, are especially coveted and command higher prices.

When looking for authentic confit pots, key features include a glowing, luminous glaze and an unglazed bottom. Signs of wear such as chips and slight cracks authenticate their antique status and historical use. Surprisingly, pots missing almost all their glaze are particularly desirable to some collectors.

In modern decor, these pots are celebrated not just for their practical past but for their ability to add a touch of rural France to any setting. Grouped with other French Country items like cruches (jugs) or an antique French boulangerie board, they transform spaces with a hint of Provencal charm and a story that speaks of centuries-old culinary traditions. Though their original purpose as food preservation vessels has diminished, confit pots continue to be treasured as decorative works of art that bring history and style to contemporary homes.