Late 19th-century French earthenware basin with ocher glaze 13¾"

This striking late 19th-century earthenware basin from the southwest of France features a warm ocher glaze on the exterior and a pale yellow glaze inside, creating a beautifully rustic contrast. Traditionally used in the kitchen for washing vegetables and general household tasks, its generous proportions and sturdy handles reflect its practical, utilitarian origins. The glaze shows characteristic drips and variations in tone, adding to its charm, while the unglazed lower section reveals the raw clay beneath.

In exceptional condition with no holes or structural damage, this rare basin is a remarkable survivor of French rural craftsmanship. Its versatile design makes it a perfect decorative piece in a country kitchen, where it can be used as a fruit bowl, a planter for herbs, or a centerpiece on a farmhouse table. Alternatively, it can be repurposed as a storage vessel for linens or firewood, bringing authenticity and warmth to a rustic or Provençal-inspired interior.