Antique French Saintonge Glazed Terracotta Bird Roof Finial Sculpture

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This unusual sculptural glazed earthenware object is best cataloged as an antique French épi de faîtage, or roof-ridge finial, likely … Read more This unusual sculptural glazed earthenware object is best cataloged as an antique French épi de faîtage, or roof-ridge finial, likely 19th century, and probably from the Saintonge / Charente-Poitou region of western France. It is modeled in vernacular glazed terracotta with a tall architectural body, flared base, arched handles, bulbous upper section, projecting applied ornament, and a perched bird-form finial. The mottled green, ochre, brown, and black lead-glaze surface, together with the handmade modeling and losses to the glaze, correspond closely to French rural roof ornaments rather than a functional lamp or South American vessel.

The purpose was architectural rather than domestic. An épi de faîtage crowned the ridge of a roof, originally serving to cover and protect the exposed or projecting roof structure, then becoming increasingly decorative and symbolic.
A Normandy heritage source explains that these roof ornaments began as functional roof accessories for sealing projecting roof parts, but later took on a decorative role; it also notes that they are made in glazed or unglazed terracotta and usually consist of a base ridge tile, central element, and crowning finial fitted together on an iron rod fixed into the roof.

This explains the vertical, stacked construction of your piece and the seemingly odd openings, protrusions, and hollow sections: they relate to the construction and mounting of a roof ornament, not to wick-spouts for an oil lamp.

An antique French Saintonge or western French glazed terracotta roof finial, known as an épi de faîtage, likely 19th century, modeled as a tall architectural roof ornament with a flared circular base, textured columnar stem, large arched side handles, bulbous upper body with applied projecting elements, and a perched bird-form finial. The surface retains a mottled lead glaze in green, ochre, brown, and black, with weathered losses consistent with outdoor architectural use. Originally mounted along the roof ridge of a rural house, manor, outbuilding, or estate structure, such finials served both practical and decorative purposes, protecting the roof ridge while also acting as a visible expression of regional craft, status, and folk symbolism.

Measurements: 22.25" h x 8" w x 7" d. See less