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Antique Marbled Canister with Lid

ambiant

A food storage jar made in southern Italy, around Puglia and Basilicata.

In the past, it was commonly used in household kitchens to store lard, salted olives, tomato sauce, and other products.

Although the pottery is made in a folk kiln and is practical, the decorations, which are applied using traditional techniques rooted in the area, give each piece the feel of a small painting.

With their simple appearance, these pieces are a perfect embodiment of Southern Italian folk art, encapsulating the artisanal skills and local food culture.

Originally, they came with lids made of the same material, but vases from that time often lose their lids due to daily opening and closing or being repurposed for other purposes, and there are very few surviving examples of complete vases with lids.
The lid currently attached is also not the original one, but is thought to have been added on at a later date, attached from another piece.

Size
φ8 × H16.5 × W12 cm
Country
Italy
Estimated age
Early 1900s
No.
AN-5083
φ8cm
HEIGHT16.5cm
WIDTH12cm
AN-25083
SIZE
WIDTH / 幅
12 cm
HEIGHT / 高さ
16.5 cm
DIAMETER / 直径
8 cm

LOCATION

Grottaglie, Puglia / Italy

Grottaglie, Puglia

Origin

The small town of Grottaglie in the Puglia region has long been known as the "Town of Ceramics." While pottery centers across Italy moved toward ornate Majolica ware, this town continued to produce honest, everyday pottery rooted in daily life, without following trends. Among these, the "Robba Bianca" vessels coated with white glaze and jars for storing grain and oil are iconic symbols of Grottaglie. Within their simple, understated appearance lies the inevitable beauty born from function and the strength of the earth. These forms, passed down through generations, blend seamlessly into modern spaces, supporting daily life with their quiet presence.