Mediterranean Barrel Olive Jars, Patinated Terracotta

A pair of Mediterranean style barrel-form olive jars, commanding attention with their powerful sculptural presence and exquisitely weathered verdigris patina.

Known historically as Biot jars or Tinajas de Aceituna, these monumental vessels were once essential in farm estates across Southern France, Spain, and Crete for storing oil, olives, and grain. This matched pair showcases the coveted banded barrel form — a robust, architectural silhouette defined by raised horizontal ribs that create a beautiful rhythm of shadow and texture.

Each terracotta body is enveloped in a dense, mineralized crust,  layers of moss green, lichen, sage, chalky limestone, and raw earth have been eroded and bleached. The surface is dry, tactile, and painterly — impossible to replicate. The interior reveals warm, raw terracotta with a central drainage hole, ready for planting.

Stunning as flanking entryway urns, terrace planters for mature olive or citrus trees, or as a standalone sculptural installation in a Belgian farmhouse, Wabi-Sabi, Mediterranean Revival, Tuscan, or Organic Modern estate. A true collector's pair with incredible soul and presence.

The interior opening measures an impressive 15 inches in diameter, ideal for large-scale planting or styling with dramatic branches.

• Dimensions: 
  Diameter: 21.5 in Height: 29 in 
• Sold As: 
  Set of 2
• Style: 
  Rustic
• Materials and Techniques: 
  Terracotta
• Place of Origin: 
  Unknown
• Date of Manufacture: 
  Late-19th Century
• Condition: 
  Distressed