Posted 9 years ago
hotrodchic
(2 items)
mother-in-law got it at a thrift store years ago and gave it to me , there's no markings anywhere and all i find when i look it up is the hens sitting on a nest. it's pottery and has a hole in the butt maybe for steam. does anyone know what this would be used for and who it's made by.
thanks for all you help
It would be used for stews etc. cooked in an oven, the hole was there to release steam, otherwise it would explode. I would say it looks French or Portuguese
If French, probably for Foie Gras, but then it would have a duck!
I found this similar piece.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porcelain-Hand-Painted-Green-Signed-Duck-Casserole-Tureen-Covered-Bowl-/121585411876?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4f0e2724
If it's thick and durable ceramic, then it is indeed a terrine mold, as opposed to being just decorative. (A tureen is for soup.)
My guess is that it was made in China. The chickens decorating the sides are reminiscent of imperial 'chicken cups'. https://www.google.ca/search?q=imperial+chicken+cup&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=757&site=webhp&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=eYr2VNmoF9CuogSMhYHQAg&ved=0CBwQsAQ (Ming dynasty chicken cups from Emperor Chenghua's reign (1465-1487) are so rare that auction records are set when one goes up for sale.)
Cups, bowls and other household goods decorated with chickens like this can usually be found in Chinatowns.
Maryh1956 - Had posted a good example.
Unfortunately, I believe yours is a modern reproduction, probably post WWII, possibly even newer
Chicken pie !!!
:-) cool....