Vintage Valtusciano in Battipaglia Italy Terracotta Cheese Amphora Crock For Sale

Rare vintage collectible Italian glazed terracotta cheese amphora from Caseificio Valtusciano of Battipaglia, Campania, Italy.This distinctive amphora bears the original “VALTUSCIANO – Battipaglia” lettering and measures approximately 6” tall with an approximately 3” opening.Caseificio Valtusciano was established in Battipaglia in 1962 by Vincenzo Citro, who became an important figure in the production and international promotion of Campania’s buffalo-milk dairy products.According to a 2021 historical article about Citro published by Nero su Bianco, Valtusciano produced its famous cream-filled cheese morsels in amphorae. The dairy also produced mozzarella, trecce, smoked provola, scamorza and other cheeses for European and American markets.Most interestingly, the article includes a photograph of Vincenzo Citro holding a Valtusciano-marked terracotta amphora remarkably similar to this example. The article further reports that Valtusciano’s amphorae filled with its cream-filled morsels were served to Pope John Paul II, Italian President Sandro Pertini and the Queen of England. (See photo of Citro from article)The amphora has a traditional rounded form with a substantial rolled rim, small lug handles at the shoulders, an incised decorative band and warm glazed terracotta surface. The interior is glazed and the base is left unglazed.Details* Caseificio Valtusciano
* Battipaglia, Campania, Italy
* Vintage Italian cheese/dairy amphora
* Post-1962; likely mid-to-late 20th century
* Glazed terracotta/earthenware
* Approx. 6” tall
* Approx. 3” opening
* Original VALTUSCIANO/Battipaglia lettering
* Small shoulder lug handles
* Decorative incised shoulder band
* Glazed interior
* Unglazed baseCondition: Very good vintage condition with expected age-related wear, glaze variation, pitting and firing/manufacturing irregularities characteristic of traditional terracotta. Lettering shows attractive age-related fading and wear. The horizontal line around the shoulder is an intentional decorative feature, not a crack. Please review all photographs carefully. There are a couple small chips on one handle, to be expected from use but in excellent condition otherwise. Historical reference: Nero su Bianco, “Il pioniere gentiluomo” (“The Gentleman Pioneer”), September 2021. The article documents Vincenzo Citro and Caseificio Valtusciano and includes a photograph of Citro holding a matching-style Valtusciano amphora.A wonderful and unusual surviving piece of Italian culinary, dairy and Campanian history.