de Le Cuona | African Clay Water Pot No.2 – Tan

This is a clay water pot, the kind of vessel that has been made for carrying and storing water for a very long time, and it still looks like exactly that. The form is rounded and unfussy, with a soft, slightly irregular surface that shows it has been shaped by hand rather than turned out of a mould. The Tan colour is warm and quiet, closer to dry earth than to anything painted. We like it because it brings weight and a little age to a room without announcing itself.

We have not been given dimensions, a weight or a finish for this piece, so please ask us before you order and we will confirm the size against your space. It is part of the African Clay Water Pot range from de Le Cuona, and this one is number 2 in that group, in Tan. The material is clay, and that tells you most of what you need to know about how it behaves. It is a natural material, so expect small variations in tone and surface from one pot to the next, and treat those as part of the point of buying it.

We would put it on a console table in a hallway, where it works as a single, strong shape against a plain wall. It also suits a deep windowsill or a kitchen shelf, standing alone beside a few books or a bowl. Because the colour is so soft, it pairs well with oatmeal linen, limewashed walls and oak. A pair of different heights, grouped close together, tends to look more considered than one pot standing on its own.

Before you buy, measure the surface it will sit on and leave some clear space around it, since a pot like this needs room to be seen. Check that the shelf or table is stable and level. As it is clay, we would handle it with both hands and avoid knocks against hard edges. We would keep it away from standing water on a polished or waxed surface, and wipe it down with a dry or barely damp cloth rather than a cleaning product.