A fish-shaped decanter, a ceramic tradition, a French interpretation
The Glouglou is part of a history that extends beyond a single manufacturer or country.
It falls within the long tradition of fish-shaped vessels, and then of gurgling decanters that appeared in Europe in the 19th century.
In Charolles, this history takes a unique form: that of an earthenware fish-shaped decanter, manufactured in Burgundy by a French factory founded in 1844.
The fish, an ancient form in decorative arts
Long before gurgling decanters, the fish appeared as a decorative and functional form in many civilizations.
In ancient Egypt, fish-shaped vessels made of glass, faience, or ceramic were already found. The fish was at once a decorative motif, a symbol, and an object form.
This tradition of zoomorphic vessels spans eras and cultures. It shows that the fish as an object form did not originate in the 19th century; it belongs to a very ancient history of decorative arts.
The first gurgling decanters
The gurgling decanter, i.e., the vessel that produces a characteristic sound when pouring, appeared in the second half of the 19th century.
Thomas Forester & Sons, a Staffordshire manufacturer active from the 1870s, is generally associated with the first gurgling water jugs. This now-defunct company ceased production in 1959. These pieces mark the appearance of a sound principle: that of the decanter that "gurgles" when used.
They are part of a broader European history of the fish vessel, which would then see several interpretations across countries, manufacturers, and eras.
Antique Staffordshire Majolica Pottery Gurgling Fish Pitcher by Forester & S.
Charolles, a French interpretation from the 1920s
In France, the Manufacture de Charolles developed its own fish decanter, the Glouglou, as early as the 1920s.
Made of earthenware in the Charolles workshops in Burgundy, the Glouglou gradually became an emblematic piece of the house. It is a French interpretation, rooted in the history of a factory founded in 1844 and dedicated to artisanal manufacturing.
The Charolles Glouglou thus has its own identity:
- a unique silhouette,
- earthenware manufacturing;
- Burgundian roots;
- continuity in the history of the house.
A diverse European history
The fish decanter has seen several interpretations in Europe, depending on the country, era, and ceramic traditions.
In Portugal, in the naturalist tradition of Caldas da Rainha and Palissy Ware, one finds earthenware fish pitchers with expressive and colorful decorations, generally dated from the late 19th or early 20th century according to sources.
In England, certain manufacturers also helped popularize their own versions in the 20th century, notably Dartmouth Pottery, founded in 1947.
These different interpretations show that the fish decanter belongs to a diverse European tradition, nourished by several cultures, manufacturers, and decorative languages.
In this history, Charolles holds a unique place: that of a French earthenware interpretation, developed in Burgundy from the 1920s.
The Charolles Glouglou today
Even today, the Glouglou is handmade by the Manufacture de Charolles. Much more than a decanter, the Charolles Glouglou embodies a true art of living in contemporary ceramics.
Appreciated as a water pitcher, flower vase, or decorative object, it stands out as an ideal and timeless gift, designed to last for years.
Its famous gurgling sound amuses and delights guests at every meal, while its colors and shades continue to charm collectors and ceramic enthusiasts.
Fall for our original pitcher — available here .
