Vintage Portuguese Terracotta Pucara Pot Cruz da Legua Frango na Pucara 8"

Overview

A vintage Portuguese lidded terracotta pot, or púcara, hand-lettered "Frango na Pucara" in white slip across the front. The red clay body is covered in a glossy clear glaze with a warm orange-brown tone. Below the lettering runs a band of white slip arches and fan-shaped leaves, and small asterisk stars sit at each end of the text. The domed lid has a six-pointed star of white petals around a pointed finial, with a dotted border at the rim, and the loop handle is trimmed with white dots. It suits a kitchen shelf, open cabinet, sideboard or rustic table setting.

Background

Frango na púcara, chicken cooked in a clay pot, is a traditional Portuguese dish associated with Alcobaça, and pots lettered with the dish's name were made in the potteries of the surrounding region. Cruz da Légua, near Porto de Mós in the Leiria district, is a known pottery village. This pot has a round ink stamp on the unglazed base reading PORTUGAL and CRUZ DA LEGUA, with a worn top line, and the number 131-0 painted in black. It is wheel-thrown with a single applied handle, and it dates to the mid to late 20th century.

Condition

Good vintage condition with no visible cracks or repairs to the pot. There is fine crazing in the white slip decoration, a few small grey spots and light wear on the dotted rims and base, and light wear and white glaze marks on the underside of the lid. The glaze has not been tested, so we offer it as a display piece. Please see all photos.

Dimensions & Weight

The pot measures 8 x 7.5 x 6.5 inches (H x W x D), with the height measured to the top of the lid finial and the width including the handle. It weighs 2 lb 9.6 oz.

Shipping

Free standard shipping within the US, packed securely.