Cerámica Granados Oil Cruet

Handmade in Lucena, Spain, this ceramic oil cruet has a deep green glaze and traditional bulbous shape of an Andalusian perula. This vessel has long been used (since the Al-Andalus period) to store and transfer olive oil in kitchens of southern Spain. Today, eighth-generation Cerámica Granados is one of the last family workshops keeping this style of pottery alive; they craft all their ceramics from clay quarried right in Lucena. The local clay has been long prized for its 1) light color, which allows glazes to appear especially vibrant and 2) low porosity, which yields a durable, watertight material that won’t harbor bacteria. To make each cruet, artisans mix clay with water and strain it through a sieve, then wheel-throw and glaze entirely by hand. The finished product has a rounded body, narrow neck and sturdy handle for a comfortable, controlled pour. (This one comes with a removable cork spout for easy refilling, too). Since each piece is handmade, subtle variations in color and form make every cruet one of a kind.