{"product_id":"antique-french-bouillotte-hand-thrown-terracotta-provence","title":"Antique French Bouillotte | Hand Thrown Terracotta | 18th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost people have never seen one of these, which is part of the appeal. Before rubber hot water bottles became commonplace, households relied on pottery versions like this antique French bouillotte (ceramic bed warmer) to take the chill out of winter nights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFilled with hot water and tucked beneath blankets before bedtime, they were a simple solution that remained in use across rural France for generations. This example likely dates to the 18th or early 19th century, making it a survivor from a very different way of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shape itself is wonderful. Hand-thrown in terracotta with a green glaze that has worn beautifully over time... this is one of the strongest attractions to this piece. You can still see the throwing rings on the end cap and feel the irregularities around the neck where the potter's hands did their work. The cork is a later replacement, and a crack runs down one side in the thinnest piece of the pottery. It is a part of the piece's long history, however it makes this a decorative piece only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I enjoy about objects like this is that their purpose is almost forgotten today. We understand what a copper pot or a cutting board is immediately. A bouillotte needs a second look... particularly this very old and rare example. Set on a shelf beside old pottery and copper, it becomes a conversation piece. When someone asks what it is, you'll find yourself talking about French farmhouses, cold winters, and a time when warming a bed took a little planning. That is the kind of history that sparks wonderful conversation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Provence Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53673670541655,"sku":"CER-109","price":395.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/4686\/4215\/files\/antique-french-bouillotte-green-glazed-terracotta-2.jpg?v=1780483500","url":"https:\/\/theprovencecollection.com\/products\/antique-french-bouillotte-hand-thrown-terracotta-provence","provider":"The Provence Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}