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Olive Oil Jar / Botija
18th century, Spain
Lead-glaze earthenware
Gift of the Historical Society of New Mexico
Museum of International Folk Art (Museum of New Mexico), Santa Fe
Photo by Paul Smutko

The olive jar was considered the cardboard carton of the Spanish colonial era, appearing in the Americas by 1554. Made in quantity, these handleless pots were easily grasped by the neck and base. Round-bottomed, they were packed in sand or straw or sheathed with woven grass and were used to ship liquids such as olive oil, wine or vinegar as well as capers, beans, chick peas, and lard.