FANTASY WATER JUGS FROM VALENCE: The reflex of a Mediterranean culture

The fantasy water jugs are one of the most original variables of vessels that can be found.

They represent a subclass within the figurative pitchers typology that can be found all around

Spain, but only in the valencian lands they acquire a kind of personality, enough to form a group

of pitchers with a entity of their own, representing one of the most genuine expressions of the

Valencian people.

This kind of vessels were produced during the 20th century in large quantities and variety of

models in Manises, The pitchers fantasy Valencian occurred throughout the twentieth century in

large number and variety of models in Manises, the main center of this and a lot of other valencian ceramics, like Biar y Agost (Alicante) or Ribesalbes, Alcora and Ondula (Castello).

This fantasy pitchers distinguish themselves for being functional, even thought they were rarely

used as a water vessel. Their most important characteristic is their form, since they represented

different motives, scenes and typical characters, leaving the functional aspect as a final plan.

The most represented motives were the garden fruits and vegetables, festive elements like the

“valencian groups”, the “sunrises nights” or flower floats of July festivities, religious motives like

the Virgin Mary of the Abandoned or most emblematic architectural elements of the Valencia city, like the Miquelet tower or the typical barracks, just to name a few. Their forms are simple but direct in the way the transmit the message of which is represented in a clear and overwhelming way and sometimes a bit naive.

Their usage was mostly decorative and as a gift or souvenir. In this sense is to bare in mind that

the most humble families were the ones to give, receive and use this objects at home, mostly due to their affordable prices, comparing to other pieces in valencian ceramics with much higher costs.