Photo Library

Spanish Kitchen

With the exchange of food and drink came changes in kitchenware, on both sides of the ocean. The large, green botija, or earthen jar, seen here, was made in Sevilla around 1700 and used to transport wine and olive oil to the New World. Often called an “olive jar” because of its use transporting and storing olive oil, the jar’s shape—so suitable to its purpose—dates to Greek and Roman times. Another personal wine container is the leather-covered glass wine flask that was made in the 1500s for travel, when stopped with a cork.

The 19th century copper chocolate pitcher in this image was made in Spain after the introduction of chocolate from the New World. Its style resembles those previously made by the Spanish who were in Mexico. The jar, from Manises, Spain, ca. 1700–1750, was used to store honey, which would have been added to sweeten naturally bitter chocolate.

Everything in one’s kitchen should be useful or beautiful. These additional common kitchen items found in Spanish, Mexican, and New Mexican kitchens are both: a ceramic plate from Puente de Arzobispo, Spain, ca. 1700–1750, painted light green and yellow glazes reflecting nature motifs, and a 19th century, well-worn wood container for storing grains.

Photo by Kitty Leaken