Recently on the Ancient Industries blog I recently spotted and lusted over the pancheon, a rough but sturdy bowl made of red clay and glazed only on the inside. Once a common farmhouse tool used for bread making and to separate cream from milk, the pancheon has become somewhat rare in modern times. They seem to be making a small comeback, however, but so far only with a handful of potters in the UK.
The pots are distinguished by their rough, red clay exterior, cream or white glazed interior, and wide, flared shape with a broad, flat lip. Some have a spout or handles, and occasionally they're decorated with a simple, wispy border or have a brown interior glaze. This mesmerizing video of an UK potter throwing a pancheon on a wheel really shows off its simple but beautiful form.
I appreciate unrefined and hearty charm of the pancheon, the way the creamy interior glaze is applied thickly and almost recklessly. They seem to be exactly the kind of bowl I would find myself pulling down day after day to make bread or, as a nod to modern times, a big salad. Sadly, I would not be able to use it for separating cream for I lack the necessary raw ingredient. It's not so obvious in these pictures but pancheons are often quite large (16-18" in diameter) although they can be made much smaller as well. (I of course lust for the larger ones - practicality be damned!)
I'm also sad that pancheons don't seem to be available in the US but I do harbor a small glimmer of hope that perhaps The Proprietress at Ancient Industries posted them only to whet our appetite for future availability? And baring that, does anyone know of a potter in the States who makes a similar product?
Read More:
• Ancient Industries • Barrington Pottery • Butter Wynd Pottery
Related: Beautiful and Multi-Purpose: Terra Cotta Mixing Bowls
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If there is a pottery studio in your area that throws pots, you could probably call and ask about a custom order. It seems like a fairly simple vessel and red clay is, if I recall correctly, a pretty common clay used at studios.
I have seen handmade bowls that are designed especially for baking bread (just google bread baker pottery and tons will come up) also as a potter myself - making one of these doesn't look too difficult however I don't make oven-safe wares so I could be mistaken. I would advise if you approach a potter be sure they are already making ovenproof items like casseroles.
Thank you! I have been looking for a huge rustic looking pot to store all of our cutlery so we don't have to rummage in drawers any more.
Weird, I was in London last Christmas and my now-ex's mom gave me some of these. I think she just got them in a charity shop over there, though I'm not totally sure. Mine have a pattern on the inside, and they kind of remind me of the 70s. I'm still a bit on the fence about them, but she was an awesome lady and they're bowls with a purpose, so I'll probably keep using them forever. I'm a couch-eater, though, and wear only dresses, which means the rough outside puts my tights in constant peril. I use them very carefully.
I saw these at IKEA a few weeks ago and almost bought one, but then wondered - what does one use it for? Also, since it was IKEA, it felt fragile and breakable. Beautiful colors of glaze, though.
The immense weight and somewhat fragile nature of these bowls has thus far stopped the Proprietress at the "what if..." stage of stocking the pancheon. But your interest is encouraging! Thank you.
I would think--if you don't know where to look locally (I wouldn't)--you could find any reputable-looking artisan on Etsy that takes custom orders and see if they couldn't make you one. I'm finding more and more that, after Amazon, Etsy is my go-to place for shopping.