95 VictoriaOctober 2019
from the Past
Ve ssel s
A well-worn patina and interior glaze
identify containers used for centuries to
transport perishable goods around the
Mediterranean. Today, these antique
treasures can be found in gardens and
within the home, adding a touch of history
and a unique focal point to any space.
TEXT LESLIE BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY MAC JAMIESONM
yriad shades of earthenware seem to perfectly
mirror the red and orange hues dotting tree-
tops in the late weeks of this cooler season.
Darker clays and vibrant yellow glazes remind
one of the breathtaking landscape, but even the paler varieties
have seen hundreds of colorful autumns since their creation.
A staple of European trade between the sixteenth and
nineteenth centuries, these hefty terra-cotta basins were used
to house both wet and dry food goods while being shipped
throughout the region. Several styles exist, created by manu-
facturers from Spain to Turkey.While larger pots were
typically used to export foods
long ago, smaller versions were
kept in the home. Those with
spigots were used to store and
pour oils and other liquids.