Late 19th/Early 20th-Century French Coopered Oak Jug With Brass Braces & Copper Rivets

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Excellent Pre-Owned Condition.

Beautifully aged French coopered oak jug, impressively sized with a rustic look-and-feel, appropriate for any French Country, … Read more Excellent Pre-Owned Condition.

Beautifully aged French coopered oak jug, impressively sized with a rustic look-and-feel, appropriate for any French Country, rustic or modern farmhouse décor style. On the interior bottom you will find a shaped tin liner which has allowed me to place a potted plant in the jug without damaging the wood. The tin liner is removable, if you desire but does not take up any unnecessary space. This beauty is not for food or beverage use, decorative applications only. The jug’s body is handcrafted from coopered oak, which is a piece of woodwork where parts (wood staves or pieces) are edge-joined; the whole vessel goes together without mechanical joinery or hardware, much like a wine or whisky barrel. The vessel is reenforced with metal braces or in some cases glued and then reenforced. In this case, brass braces secured by copper rivets were used. The elongated curved handle and long pointed spout are also crafted from brass. Maker is unknown; a crude number of some sort has been carved on the bottom. It measures 22½” high measured from the tip of the spout; 9½” x 11½” W/D; weight approximately 10 lbs. Oak staves were quarter sawn and coopered; stained finish presents with a rich mélange of brownish and caramel hues against the fine oak wood grain. Brass has an aged patina which could be polished to a gleaming look but why would you? In excellent condition for its age. Please keep in mind that wood is an organic material and shrinks across the grain with age, antique wooden jugs are no exception. The brass braces are no longer tightly fitted but it’s almost impossible to discern unless you manually touch them. Of note, the spout (see photo 8) is a bit loose due to the loss of a center tack, all other tacks are secure and will not allow the spout to come off. Lastly, the elongated brass handle (see photos 4, 7 & 11) has developed hairline splits from age which do not affect its strength or utility. A true wabi-sabi piece with bumps and bruises of a long life obviously but a representation of a time-worn handcrafted art form of utilitarian ware from the past with an enduring charm and appeal. A perfect example of what wabi-sabi is all about, the ability to embrace the perfectly imperfect. This beauty is in need of a new home, yours perhaps?

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