Confit jars—authentic or reproductions

Confit jars - French authenticity

There's something truly special about jars—no matter their size, they're one of the most rewarding items to use in home decor. 

It’s all about contrasts. Many modern homes are filled with smooth surfaces, sharp edges, and plenty of glass and metal. Bringing in a vase with organic, rounded shapes softens the whole look a bit. 

If there’s one type of jar that stands out for being incredibly beautiful and has stolen my heart (along with the Martres-Tolosane jar), it’s the classic from southwestern France: the yellow or green-glazed confit jar, or pot à graisse, as it’s also known. 

Under the "Jars" section of our shop, you'll find a bit more information about their origins and other details. This post explains how to tell if the jar you've found is an authentic confit jar or a more recent replica.  

Real or fake?

Doesn't it matter whether they're imitations or reproductions when used in interior design? Well, in principle, it doesn't—it all comes down to how the vase complements the rest of the decor. But price should be tied to authenticity and value.

Original confit jars retain their value—and the price of an antique jar often rises as supply decreases.  

With the high demand for a jar that is becoming increasingly difficult to find, people are getting creative. Replicas and imitations are starting to appear—unfortunately, often at the same price as the originals. 

So if you're looking to get your hands on a genuine antique, here are my top tips on what to look for.

The glaze

When it comes to glaze, both its form and texture are interesting.

On authentic confit jars, the glaze has often run down the sides a bit (because they were dipped by hand). Even more significant are the small cracks that have formed in the glaze (craquelures) over the years, as the clay and glaze have expanded and contracted under varying temperatures.

The crackle patterns on old pots are irregular and follow the shape of the vessel. They can be fine in some places and coarser in others, depending on the tension in the clay. On a tall pot, the crackle patterns often run vertically. Artificial crackle is typically much more uniform across the entire surface.

At the same time, the natural cracks have become discolored from decades of grease and dirt accumulating in layers. This causes some cracks to appear dark and others lighter. In replicas, a uniform dye is often rubbed into the artificial cracks, resulting in a "patina" that looks too neat and uniform.

The bottom

The base can be divided into two parts: the underside itself and the lower, unglazed section.

The bottom: Since the pots are hand-thrown, the bottom has a somewhat rough texture. You can often see the circles or marks left when they were cut free from the potter’s wheel using steel wire.

The color of the underside will have a different shade than the unglazed part of the jar itself, as it has stood on earthen or stone floors and absorbed moisture and dust.

Many pots also have chips on the base, precisely because they have been placed (sometimes roughly) on stone floors. 

The unglazed part: The bottom of the pot is always unglazed. This is because the pots were buried in the cool earth of the cellar to preserve the fat and meat inside. Look for the edge where the glaze ends; it is often uneven, and the raw clay there will appear "saturated" and darker.

Wear and tear / patina 

A confit jar that is over 100 years old and has been actively used for cooking will have small chips and cracks. Some of the most telltale signs are:

The handles: On antique jars, they are attached by hand and are therefore often asymmetrical. A quick test with a ruler can reveal whether the jar was made in a perfect, symmetrical mold or by hand.

The Edge: The top was originally sealed with fabric and tight string. That’s why you often see small chips along the edge and just below it. If the edge is perfectly straight and flawless, it’s probably never seen the inside of a French country kitchen.

A quick way to check for wear is to run your finger over the surface—if any chips, nicks, etc., feel soft and "rounded," that’s a sign of natural wear over many years. If they’re sharp, they’re probably more recent. 

I hope this guide helps you in your search for your next confit jar, and you’re welcome to stop by our store at Smallegade 28, 2000 Frederiksberg to see our selection. Not all of our confit jars are available online in our webshop. 

Thanks for reading :)