Vintage ceramic advertising jars (19th – early 20th century): history, charm and collecting

Ceramic advertising jars marked the golden age of food and toiletry packaging between the mid-19th century and the 1920s . These objects, now rare, once found in every delicatessen and pharmacy, embody a world prized by lovers of flea markets, vintage decoration and antique curiosities .

An elegant and durable communication medium

Long before the advent of plastic or metal packaging, manufacturers competed to create containers that were aesthetically pleasing, durable, and prestigious . Glazed earthenware and printed ceramics offered an excellent medium for showcasing a company's name, reputation, and even awards. Brands such as Julien Damoy, Félix Potin, Grey-Poupon, and Robardelle in Nancy remain famous for their illustrated pots with their refined typography.

Everyday products magnified

These pots were used for a wide range of products:

• Fine jams and artisanal compotes ( Julien Damoy , Félix Potin...)
• Mustards and condiments (Grey-Poupon, Crosse & Blackwell ...)
• British marmalades ( James Keiller & Sons in Dundee...)
• Hygiene products such as John Gosnell & Co.'s Cherry Tooth Paste

A graphic style emblematic of the Belle Époque

Vintage ceramic advertising jars are appealing thanks to their elegant typographic design : thick and thin lettering, floral borders, ribboned cartouches, and sometimes even polychrome or black and white illustrations depicting factories, medals, or figures. These elements make them true works of graphic art.

Decorative objects for lovers of antique typography and food collections

With their typographic prints, period lettering, and meticulously crafted illustrations, these antique ceramic advertising jars appeal to vintage decor enthusiasts and collectors of historical food products . They find their place naturally in a retro kitchen, a recreated old-fashioned grocery store , or a display case dedicated to 19th-century graphic packaging . More than just an object, each jar testifies to the aesthetic refinement once applied to packaging and tells the story of food and cosmetic advertising in the 19th century.

Are you interested in acquiring some?

Discover our selection of vintage advertising jars on our online flea market . Each piece is carefully described and authenticated, for the enjoyment of collectors of advertising earthenware, antique typographic objects , and flea market decor .

An art of detail to be rediscovered, between nostalgia and graphic aesthetics.