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Not quite. This is an Olla (pronounced oi-yah). They are meant to be buried in the garden and filled with water. Because the clay is porous, or in this instance, drilled with holes, they gradually release water over time so that plants don’t get overwatered
Yeh, I'm like that's really cool you want to share what vitreous luster is to us but let's maybe not skip over the obvious GIANT HOLE which would make this highly impractical if not just impossible to be an Olla
For what it's worth I'm pretty sure this is plumbing. They made a lot of clay pipes for drainage and sewage. Pittsburgh was huge for clay pipe and red brick production.
Not sure I agree 100% as I'd expect to see either some signs of ashes/smoke or a complete set. Still.... Other than it being too nice it seems to fit. If so, I'm thinking it's the lower half (it's upside down in the first pic and the holes are to let air in). It's got a ring around the bell that look like where a wrought iron stand would have supported it.
That’s my best guess, if this was actually the base of a chiminea and it sat on a metal stand, what would prevent embers from falling through the holes?
If you're going to put holes under your fire you typically also have some sort of way to catch embers. I know it's going to be pulling in air while burning as the heat rises, but as the fire burns back down you'd still want to make sure no burning coals fall through.
the origin is the spanish word “chimenea”, meaning chimney. also found in US english as “chiminea” and Spanish as “chimenea” and UK sometimes as “chimenia” or “chimnea”.
edit: apparently no one agrees on the spelling aside from “not chimea”
Interesting, didn't know the spelling was in contention.
I thought maybe they were only a thing in the southwest US where I grew up (southern AZ specifically). Friends had them down there and I've seen them in New Mexico.
So now I'm curious if chim?neas are popular in other US states...
Considering the direction of the stamp, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say a pot for plants with drainage holes in the bottom.
Found this website for a pottery store that's based out of the old Leitzinger pottery building in Clearfield, PA. They might be able to track down more specifics for you:
Someone else mentioned that it looks like there might've been a metal ring of some sort to hold it up based on the line about halfway up on the outside.
Thank you for this. I originally thought it was something chimney related, but this might be more of the answer. I thought maybe the holes were too large for just holding water, but using it as a giant plant pot could make more sense. There wasn’t a stand for it that I saw anywhere, but a heavy duty one would work also
Definitely contact Crockerfarms.com. They’re good about responding and will be able to provide info about intended use and manufacturer. Could be a valuable piece. Searched Lehner’s marks text and could find no documented potters in Clearfield.
I agree about contacting Crocker Farms - they do have at least a couple of Clearfield potters (leitzinger and mj porter, to name the first two that came up for me)
My guess would be that there was an ornate cast iron stand for it, and that it was a large outdoor flower pot. The wide brim looks like it was the upper edge, the bottom “spout” stuck down between the legs of the stand
My title describes the thing. Located this large bell shaped terracotta object at a home in Pennsylvania. It was sitting behind a garage, but not being used in any way. Has holes in the narrow part of the bell.
Edit to add: the holes are decent sized, about a 1/2” in diameter
This looks like an olla! usually there's a little piece that goes over the top.
You bury it underground, fill it with water and put plants around it. The water goes through the sides of the pot and plants water themselves. I have a bunch!
Looks like an old stoneware poultry waterer, late 1800s-early 1900s. Clearfield PA is where it’s made.. There would be another tray on the bottom that would hold the water the birds drink from..
It looks to me like it might have a salt glaze like an old drainage tile. Also the neck of the “funnel” part extends up above the holes. I’m assuming this would be used like a large funnel that would attach to another pipe or device. Due to these features I’m leaning toward it being used for some kind of drainage. Maybe a rain collection system or something like that.
Could it be a plant shield? Something you'd put over a small bush or shrub to protect it from weather? I've seen foam covers for rose bushes for example. Is this a more permanent type of that?
It’s a piece of drainage tile, we have them on our down spout that goes to the cistern (our are more modern, but same design overall). However ones that are taken off do make nice planters.
Strong possibility it is part of early sewerage or drainage type product as Robinson Clay Products had a manufacturing plant in Clearfield PA. The information I found said they made primarily sewer pipes, bricks, roofing tiles, and other architectural terra cotta.
This looks industrial to me rather than consumer. No decoration and I’ve never seen such an overtly placed makers mark on a piece intended for display.
Clearfield is coal country, so pure speculation, but maybe it was a part built for related industries.
Given the text direction of the stamp. It looks like it had a base at one point the small end went into to hold it up and the glossy finish suggests waterproofing for a flower pot for like on a porch or patio.
I think it’s a coal forge..? The first picture shows were the pipe would tie in for the fan to force air into the coals. Bowl looks a little deep but that’s what I’d use it for lol
I don't know what it is but my SIL has a couple things that look like them, partially buried in her large flower bed. She fills them with water during the summer, so she uses them as an Olla.
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It's most likely part of a chimea. An outdoor fireplace.
Not quite. This is an Olla (pronounced oi-yah). They are meant to be buried in the garden and filled with water. Because the clay is porous, or in this instance, drilled with holes, they gradually release water over time so that plants don’t get overwatered
This has vitreous luster. It's not an olla, the vitrification process makes it unsuitable for use as one.
Plus the large holes would allow the water to immediately drain.
Oh you meant the large holes at the bottom.
I was gonna comment that the size of the hole at the top is too large. That's alot of water evaporation right there.
And stuff would get inside. Leaf litter would turn this thing into a smelly rotten dirt pile.
Folks put small thrift store platters over the top after filling them
Yeh, I'm like that's really cool you want to share what vitreous luster is to us but let's maybe not skip over the obvious GIANT HOLE which would make this highly impractical if not just impossible to be an Olla
You are clearly a fellow potter.
For what it's worth I'm pretty sure this is plumbing. They made a lot of clay pipes for drainage and sewage. Pittsburgh was huge for clay pipe and red brick production.
Did you see the second picture? It's shaped like a funnel not an olla
No it isn’t.
Giant holes won't gradually release water.
I mean if they're sitting in soil, yes they will.
This is a word-fired piece, likely to come 10, making it completely vitrified and non-porous.
Not sure I agree 100% as I'd expect to see either some signs of ashes/smoke or a complete set. Still.... Other than it being too nice it seems to fit. If so, I'm thinking it's the lower half (it's upside down in the first pic and the holes are to let air in). It's got a ring around the bell that look like where a wrought iron stand would have supported it.
I mean, it may have never been used, just sitting in a corner of the garden looking pretty for however long.
Seconded. I got a chimea with the house I bought and I don't think it was ever used
Also, stamp orientation would be upside down if this was a chiminea.
Would it though?
That’s my best guess, if this was actually the base of a chiminea and it sat on a metal stand, what would prevent embers from falling through the holes?
Airflow? I see what your saying and I'm not disagreeing, I'm genuinely curious, I wonder if this could be a top vent of some sort for something else?
If you're going to put holes under your fire you typically also have some sort of way to catch embers. I know it's going to be pulling in air while burning as the heat rises, but as the fire burns back down you'd still want to make sure no burning coals fall through.
Chimneas are also usually one piece.
I believe you meant to type chiminea?
Possibly chimera, the mythical creature.
the origin is the spanish word “chimenea”, meaning chimney. also found in US english as “chiminea” and Spanish as “chimenea” and UK sometimes as “chimenia” or “chimnea”.
edit: apparently no one agrees on the spelling aside from “not chimea”
Interesting, didn't know the spelling was in contention.
I thought maybe they were only a thing in the southwest US where I grew up (southern AZ specifically). Friends had them down there and I've seen them in New Mexico.
So now I'm curious if chim?neas are popular in other US states...
we def have them here in MI, as we like outdoor fires 🙂 i’ve always thought it “chimenea”, which is why i did a little research to sate my curiosity!
Perhaps a smoker/oven? Make a fire pit. Put food on a grate. Cover with the mystery item.
Considering the direction of the stamp, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say a pot for plants with drainage holes in the bottom.
Found this website for a pottery store that's based out of the old Leitzinger pottery building in Clearfield, PA. They might be able to track down more specifics for you:
http://www.historicaplus.com/
That seems like it would have balance problems
Someone else mentioned that it looks like there might've been a metal ring of some sort to hold it up based on the line about halfway up on the outside.
Thank you for this. I originally thought it was something chimney related, but this might be more of the answer. I thought maybe the holes were too large for just holding water, but using it as a giant plant pot could make more sense. There wasn’t a stand for it that I saw anywhere, but a heavy duty one would work also
My first thought was a rhubarb forcer but they are usually taller.
I had never heard of this before. Thanks for the quick rabbit hole!
Came here to guess the same.
i thought the same — or rather, i’m not sure what it was meant for, but it would make a great rhubarb forcer.
Definitely contact Crockerfarms.com. They’re good about responding and will be able to provide info about intended use and manufacturer. Could be a valuable piece. Searched Lehner’s marks text and could find no documented potters in Clearfield.
I agree about contacting Crocker Farms - they do have at least a couple of Clearfield potters (leitzinger and mj porter, to name the first two that came up for me)
I did send them an email, I’m waiting to hear back, and I will update when they do. Thanks!
Possibly an enormous version of this: https://www.decorsteals.com/products/natural-terracotta-planter
My guess would be that there was an ornate cast iron stand for it, and that it was a large outdoor flower pot. The wide brim looks like it was the upper edge, the bottom “spout” stuck down between the legs of the stand
My title describes the thing. Located this large bell shaped terracotta object at a home in Pennsylvania. It was sitting behind a garage, but not being used in any way. Has holes in the narrow part of the bell.
Edit to add: the holes are decent sized, about a 1/2” in diameter
This looks like an olla! usually there's a little piece that goes over the top.
You bury it underground, fill it with water and put plants around it. The water goes through the sides of the pot and plants water themselves. I have a bunch!
https://ucanr.edu/blog/coastal-gardener/article/olla-irrigation
edit: Eh, it looks like the whole bottom is open? Not an olla then.
Ollas should not have holes in the flat bottom
It has vitreous luster as well. Definitely not an olla.
could just be the top half of one. this is really what it looks like to me too.
Ollas are round and only open on one end.
It’s a low-fired, terracotta jug that was a common way to store water in desert landscapes.
Their use for plant watering is very recent.
Totally random guess but part of a pipe situation that led to a cistern for gathering rain water? The little holes were to filter out leaves/debris?
My first thought was it could be a drain basket/catch basin for a French drain.
Looks like an old stoneware poultry waterer, late 1800s-early 1900s. Clearfield PA is where it’s made.. There would be another tray on the bottom that would hold the water the birds drink from..
Clearfield, PA was known for pottery and clay work. Try contacting any historical society out that way.
Clay drainage gully (for gutter into sewer)
https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/replacing-old-drain-gulley.605277/
It looks to me like it might have a salt glaze like an old drainage tile. Also the neck of the “funnel” part extends up above the holes. I’m assuming this would be used like a large funnel that would attach to another pipe or device. Due to these features I’m leaning toward it being used for some kind of drainage. Maybe a rain collection system or something like that.
This seems most likely, honestly.
The narrow part definitely looks to be about drain sized.
Maybe these guys could help?
Could it be a plant shield? Something you'd put over a small bush or shrub to protect it from weather? I've seen foam covers for rose bushes for example. Is this a more permanent type of that?
It’s a piece of drainage tile, we have them on our down spout that goes to the cistern (our are more modern, but same design overall). However ones that are taken off do make nice planters.
Strong possibility it is part of early sewerage or drainage type product as Robinson Clay Products had a manufacturing plant in Clearfield PA. The information I found said they made primarily sewer pipes, bricks, roofing tiles, and other architectural terra cotta.
Quick search indicates it being a clay product made in good ol Clearfield Pa by one of the local brick/pipe making companies years ago.
The Clearfield County Historical Society can probably give an identification which I'm sure someone will be able to ID.
Just alittle more internet diving and you'll get an answer.
It's vintage
Pottery marked "Clearfield, PA" almost always refers to the work of Frederick Leitzinger, a Swiss immigrant potter active in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, primarily from the 1850s to 1870s, known for his salt-glazed stoneware and redware jars with distinctive stamped maker's marks like "LEITZINGER / CLEARFIELD, PA.". These antique pieces, often featuring canning jar forms, are collectible and valued for their historical craftsmanship. https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2022-08-05/lot-127/Rare-Frederick-Leitzinger-Clearfield-PA-Stoneware-Canning-Jar/#:~:text=Rare%20Stoneware%20Canning%20Jar%2C%20Stamped,H%207%201/8%22.
This looks industrial to me rather than consumer. No decoration and I’ve never seen such an overtly placed makers mark on a piece intended for display.
Clearfield is coal country, so pure speculation, but maybe it was a part built for related industries.
Given the text direction of the stamp. It looks like it had a base at one point the small end went into to hold it up and the glossy finish suggests waterproofing for a flower pot for like on a porch or patio.
I would see if it may be worth anything before drilling holes in it
Its marked Clearfield, PA
Found this on google - may be worth looking in to value
https://preview.redd.it/6a3x4ff2l66g1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5700b92d250d488299a2f7acbbfb03696cef6b89
Is it cast metal? To me it looks like a cast firepot for a coal forge.
It’s a rhubarb forcer
Smash it open for a rupee
I think it's a cloche which is used to cover plants over winter to save them from frost.
You burry it and fill with water and cap, it then regulates the surrounding area with water. Don't remember what hey are called
I think it’s a coal forge..? The first picture shows were the pipe would tie in for the fan to force air into the coals. Bowl looks a little deep but that’s what I’d use it for lol
I don't know what it is but my SIL has a couple things that look like them, partially buried in her large flower bed. She fills them with water during the summer, so she uses them as an Olla.
The top of an outdoor cooking tagine minus the base?
There was probably a stand for it made of metal?
Is it metal or clay? If metal, it could be a tuyre for blacksmithing
Looks like it could have been the fire box for a kamado style smoker?
the biggest Olla i’ve ever seen. used for irrigation. we have small ones in our raised beds
For gardening. Releases water slowly into the soil
I say it's an olla pot
Vegetable forcer for growing rhubarb, kale and asparagus out of season with a missing lid.
Example