The History of Walnut Jars
French antiques include many wonderful examples of rustic pottery, but a particular favourite of mine are antique walnut jars.
Walnuts themselves date from 6,000 BC and originated in Persian, they were first cultivated by the Greeks. The Romans brought walnuts to the rest of Europe, calling them the Royal Nut of Jove, who was the King of their mythological Gods. Walnuts were first cultivated in France in the 14th century, where they became highly regarded and widely used. Earthenware jugs were used to transport the locally pressed walnuts, which were used in food, for medicinal purposes, as dye for hair, wool and cloth, and were also mixed by artists to create pigments used in paintings. However the main use of walnut oil was as a source of energy to fuel lamps! – and by the 18th century it was the main source of energy in France. From the mid 19th century, due to the importation of other lighting fuels and the discovery of tin, the clay walnut jug was replaced by zinc and tin pitchers and they fell into disuse, becoming obsolete.
It was not until after World War II that interest in these jars reignited and they became the highly sought after and desired antique ceramics they are now known to be.
Design and Craftsmanship
French walnut jars are very distinctive and within local regions potters would compete to create earthenware pottery which was practical for oil storage - but also original and decorative. In particular Auvergne, Quercy and Périgord became centres for the creation of walnut jars. In terms of their designs they were made to be useful and practical. As oil storage vessels they needed to tilt easily for pouring, most had two handles so that a rope could be secured through the handles, in order to ease pouring. Their spouts were designed to be small and tubular, in order to help pour the oil more accurately. Their shape was often quite bulbous and round, to ensure maximum storage, but this made them difficult to handle, so walnut jars were decorated with rope shaped coils made from clay, running vertically down the jars to create a ribbed surface. This was useful to help stop the walnut jars from slipping when they were handled. It also became a way for each potter to sign their work – by adding individual marks with their fingers, which they indented into the vertical bands of clay - thus creating unique decorative antiques.
In terms of the glazes, many colours were used, all based on the chemical formation of the clay in any given area. For example some had a sienna glaze or a red wine coloured glaze, this was obtained by using clay with a strong manganese oxide in it. Manganese is a natural metal which has been extracted from the Périgord region since prehistoric times. Some dark green glazes were achieved by using clay rich in iron oxide. Auvergne pottery is distinctive for its wonderful water green glazes, which were created using copper oxides. In addition the cooking temperature of the clay affected the intensity of the colour which was achieved, so there were many variances produced, creating unique antique decorative items which are more appreciated now than ever before.
Walnut Jars to Set Your Scene
These wonderful walnut jars are now bringing antiques and interiors together - today rustic pottery is very popular. Such earthenware jars, all so personally created - with their irregularities and the subtleties in their design, their unique glaze, patina, texture and wear are unique and very special French antiques that will add subtle interest to your living space. Sadly these fine examples of utilitarian rustic pottery, with their wonderful decorative appeal are no longer created, the craft has completely died out.
At Mist Antiques & Decorative Interiors there is always rustic pottery with mottled surfaces and age old patina - to find out more explore the wide selection of decorative ceramics.