Pitchers of secrets

Pitchers of secrets

It is a decorative clay jug with a trick for drinking water without getting wet.

1858

craftedobjects,portugalobjects

2025

iain

Portuguese

Physical Object

736

Bilha dos segredos

27/10/2025

27/10/2025

https://uniaodasfreguesiastondelanandufe.pt/2022/01/18/museu-terras-de-besteiros/ https://www.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ficha-MatrizPCI.pdf

10cm x 10cm x 25cm

current,40.530278,-8.095556;

TEXT

Black clay of Molelos

Cultural

ceramics

The pitcher of secrets is made with black ckay from Molelos with molds to give it the shape.

The potter collects black clay from a local plot of land designated for the extraction of the material.

The jar of secrets is made from black clay from Molelos and its shape is achieved using special molds. The clay is molded by hand and the jar is fired in open ovens in the earth (SOENGA), where a reduction firing technique is used to obtain the characteristic black color. The secret of the jar lies in the presence of hidden openings, which allow the liquid to escape unexpectedly.

It is used to drink liquids in such a way that does not leak through the holes around the artifact. It is necessary to discover the secret of drinking without spilling the liquid.

The jar of secrets is an emblematic piece of pottery, handmade especially in the art of black pottery from Bisalhães and black clay from Molelos.

The artisan actively continues to produce this piece, as it is one of the most sought-after items by customers.

In the countryside, rural workers used these jugs because they kept the water relatively cool, especially in summer.

UAVEIRO_AR_07