Large Antique Terracotta Jar, Portugal, 1900-1930

Details

Description

This large Portuguese olive oil jar is pure utilitarian pottery, defined by a strong and timeless silhouette. The rounded, generous … Read more This large Portuguese olive oil jar is pure utilitarian pottery, defined by a strong and timeless silhouette. The rounded, generous body tapers gently into a broad base, topped by a short neck and a thick, rolled rim that immediately highlights its handcrafted character.

Dimensions: height 75 cm, diameter 60 cm.

The decoration is understated: fine wheel marks and lightly incised lines across the surface, combined with subtle horizontal bands around the shoulder, add just enough rhythm without disturbing the simplicity. The surface is beautifully timeworn, with warm terracotta tones and darker areas. Along the rim and inside, clear traces of long-term use and storage remain—typical for olive oil amphorae—and they give the piece a particularly authentic presence.

Thanks to its generous scale, this is a true statement piece. Place it on its own in a hallway or living space as a sculptural accent, or use it outdoors on a terrace or in the garden, where the terracotta will respond beautifully to changing light and seasons.

Condition: good condition with visible age and use-related wear consistent with its original purpose; solid and stable. See less