Ceramic Secret Pitcher No. 11

Inspired by a pottery tradition as whimsical as it is masterful, this “secret” pitcher was first created in the 1950s as part of a competition organized by ceramicists eager to push the boundaries of their art.
The idea was to create an openwork pitcher—and thus one that appeared unusable—yet capable of pouring water or wine without spilling a single drop.

Each piece is handcrafted using a meticulous process in the Faïencerie Française workshop in Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, a region renowned for its earthenware and stoneware production since the 18th century. Rich in clay, the soil in this region is exceptionally pliable, allowing artisans to create objects of great delicacy.

Invented centuries earlier, in the Middle Ages, the “secret pitcher” (or “tricking pitcher”) does not empty like an ordinary pitcher. To drink from it, you must suck through one of the small spouts drilled into the rim of the neck. This rim is actually a hollow ridge connected to the handle—which is also hollow—that extends all the way to the bottom of the pitcher, where it opens discreetly.