Food storage jars from Grottaglie, Puglia, southern Italy.

They were used to preserve olives, beans, and vegetables pickled in salt or oil for long periods of time, and were an essential part of supporting the food culture and people's lives at the time.

Even today, we often see them being reused as flower pots on the eaves and balconies of private homes.

This folk art has transcended the ages and is deeply rooted in Puglia life, quietly playing a part in people's daily lives.