Florentine Terracotta of Impruneta Storage Jar with Paterae c. 17th Century

A classically sculpted huge terracotta olive oil storage jar from Impruneta, Florence c. 17th Century.

This stunning jar has two shaped handles atop two paterae and inner red ochre glazing. The paterae is an ornamental circular or oval bas-relief disc, here representing the heraldry of the Italian Noble family the jars would have been created for with initials and ornamental logo. The jar has a wonderful patinated surface, the passage of time evident in the cascading lichen scattering it’s smooth weathered exterior.

The highly sought-after world famous Florentine terracotta is produced in Impruneta, an ancient town a little south of Florence, Italy. The tradition of making terracotta in this area goes back to the 14th century.

The olive oil jars sing of these warmer Mediterranean climes, perfectly creating this feeling within your Italian inspired garden or standing in a traditional English formal garden from which this piece originated. Display as a stand alone feature, or one of a cluster of jars as a wonderful sculptural statement.

In original condition, later half filled with mortar to weight the vessel down so it can be placed in exposed positions within the garden as it was in the Crowe Hall landscape.

Provenance direct from Crowe Hall, Bath, UK.