Vallauris Provençal Terracotta Poêlon | Provincial French Skillet | Mid 19th Century
A very special antique terracotta 'Poêlon' skillet or pan from the Vallauris region of France, complete with black charring where it has been used on an open fire.
A beautiful piece of rough, country pottery, it was made on a manual kick wheel and fired in a traditional wood kiln. The bulbous, hollow handle was used to insert a wooden stick in the end so you didn't burn yourself on the embers. It's rare to find surviving ones that have been used as the fire makes them brittle.
This would look brilliant displayed as part of a collection of terracotta and earthenware.
It was made between 1850 to 1880. It's possible to date it to this period because of the small pad of clay with a V made of dots under the handle. Potters working in regional communal hubs like Vallauris were typically paid by piece-rate (per dozen or per batch). Before throwing their raw pans into a massive shared, wood-fired kiln, individual artisans applied their own unique punch pattern or stamp. When the kiln was unloaded days later, the owner or master potter used these handle-base marks to accurately count the inventory and calculate the wages owed to that specific artisan.
Condition: Excellent. No cracks or structural problems, and a brilliant patina of age and use. Some nibbles and chips on the rim, which is expected.
Dimensions: H 7.5cm x W 30cm
Shipping
United Kingdom, including Northern Island
If we receive your order by 2pm Monday-Friday, we aim to dispatch your order on the same day. If your order is received after 2pm, it will be dispatched the following business day.
Cost
2 Working Days - Orders Under £200 — £5
2 Working Days - Orders Over £200 — Free
International Orders
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Returns
We accept returns up to 21 days from the day your order is delivered.
We reserve the right to refuse any return on merchandise that does not meet our return requirements. We are unable to offer an exchange or refund on items that are deemed damaged upon return - scratched, worn or not in their original packaging. The customer is responsible for paying the return shipping cost. We cannot accept responsibility for parcels lost in transit.