Antique terracotta wine Cruche from Bordeaux

This is a particularly good example of the everyday utilitarian pottery we look for when buying in France. The wide rounded body, pouring spout and handles are all designed around its original working purpose, while the open top would have allowed it to be filled easily. What makes this one particularly good now is the surface: areas of orange glaze remain around the shoulders and handles while much of the body has worn back to exposed terracotta. The twisted wire handle is part of its previous life and can either be left in place or removed.

Good used condition with considerable surface wear consistent with age and previous use. There is wear and loss to the glaze, marks, discolouration, firing irregularities and knocks across the terracotta. The wire handle is aged and oxidised. These are all clearly visible and form part of the heavily worn surface of the piece. We would recommend using dried rather than fresh flowers unless a watertight container is placed inside.

It's all about the surface on this one. The flashes of orange glaze against the dry terracotta, chunky handles, little pouring spout and old twisted wire make it interesting from every angle. We'd keep it very simple with a few tall dried stems or leave it completely empty.