Pair of olive oil jars (or "tinajas"), Spain, 19th century

Pair of Spanish jars, 19th century. Known as "tinajas", these jars are witnesses to what has been in Spain an intense economic activity since time immemorial, highly developed geographically, characterised by multiple models and shapes specific to a region, the craftsmanship of a potter, the final use (storage of olive oil or olives, grain, wine...), and the types and characteristics of available soils facilitating certain models or sizes more than others, etc. The potter's mark on the jars (see photo) has allowed us to trace their origins: They come from the village of Ràfol de Salem (South of Valencia, see photo), a village of 89 inhabitants that once had only one family of potters (the Pastor family, see photo). These jars were intended for the storage of olive oil; the wide upper opening allows for extraction using a specific tool called a "poalet". The variety of colour does not come from different clays, but from the position of the jars in the kiln during firing, with those placed at the bottom taking on an "ash-brown" colour, while those at the top tend more towards red. The initials "T.G" are the initials of the owner and user of the jars, specifically an old olive oil business located in Xàtiva. It is in this "bodega" that these jars had been "sleeping", unused for over 50 years, alongside 10 others (see photo of the complete lot). In perfect condition and without any cracks, they retain some signs of use (mainly traces of olive oil) that enrich their patina. Please do not hesitate to contact us for the rest of the lot (a total of 12 tinajas), or for a mode or quote for transport to destinations not listed in the proposed options.