Wanderers Ceramic Water Bottles, Set of 2

Pair of Wanderer’s Water Bottles in late 19th century ceramic with a lenticular shape on a white background with abstract decorations painted in shades of blue, ocher and brown. Similar to each other in shape regardless of the reported handles which have a different orientation. The tallest has a neck at the base of a handle. The decoration is placed only on the external side of the flask while on the back of one we notice a label from a shop in Rapallo and a small chip on the base. Originating from Central Italy.

These small bottles made of terracotta had the particularity of containing the water or other liquids necessary to quench their thirst during the pilgrims’ travels. with relatively small dimensions, with a lenticular shape and the possibility of being anchored to the belt or carried over the shoulder using a cord that was passed around the flask inserted into four loops or perforated sockets arranged on the sides.

Therefore the essential tool for the traveler is soon decorated and enriched with new shapes both in the plastic of the flask and in its typology, until particular shapes are found such as the empty flasks in the center which, being equipped with a base, suggest a more decorative function how functional.

Even the decoration passes from primitive graffiti with geometric or floral motifs, to enamel coloring or decoration which can be pictorial according to the usual models of the period or in the most popular examples, of an abstract nature as in the case of the flasks with abstract, almost casual decoration in which we like to think that the decorator simply had colors to use or finish.