Large Biot Glass Carafe With Internal Ice Reservoir, France, Circa 1950

This striking and unusually large French glass carafe with internal reservoir was produced in Biot, a village in the south of France renowned for its distinctive bubbled glass (verre bullé) production. Pieces from Biot are celebrated for their characteristic air bubbles intentionally trapped within the glass during the blowing process, creating a lively and textured appearance that beautifully captures and refracts light.

Hand-blown in light aqua blue glass, this elegant pitcher features a classic rounded body with a graceful applied handle and a gently flared pouring spout. The interior reservoir—an ingenious feature typical of mid-20th-century French tableware—was designed to hold ice cubes, allowing wine, water, or other beverages to remain chilled without dilution. The removable stopper, also made of bubbled glass and topped with a rounded bulbous form, fits neatly into the neck above the reservoir.

The glass displays the irregular bubbles and subtle variations characteristic of authentic Biot craftsmanship, confirming its artisanal origin. Pieces like this were particularly popular in the 1950s and early 1960s, when Biot glassworks experienced a revival of traditional techniques combined with modern decorative forms.

This carafe is large in scale and in very good condition, with no visible damage to the glass. The stopper appears consistent with the piece and is very likely original to the carafe, matching perfectly in color, bubble pattern, and style.

Both decorative and functional, this beautiful Biot carafe makes a superb addition to a Mediterranean table setting or a refined collection of vintage French glassware.