A very unusual and charming earthenware ‘Chevrette’ cruche, or water pitcher, beautifully hand painted with fantastical animal imagery in vivid blue and white. Commonly used for transporting drinking water by agricultural workers, the design of this particular chevrette seems very much inspired by the iconic Chinese ‘moonflask’, with its circular body and flattened sides. As with all chevrette pitchers, the carrying handle and two spouts on the upper rim of the container are placed in alignment – one spout for drinking from, and one larger one for refilling. There would originally have been a cork or stopper in the larger one, to prevent spillage.