Jug
ca. 1550 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Stoneware jugs, like this one, were imported into England in vast quantities from major production centres in the Rhineland, Germany. They were extremely cheap, costing only a few pence.
History & Use
A French visitor to London in the 1550s noted that the English drink beer 'not in glasses but in earthenware pots with silver handles and covers.' The unique English fashion for mounted earthenware jugs reached its height in the mid 16th century. The mounts were generally in silver or silver gilt, richly decorated and heavily ornamented. They could cost between £1 and £3.
Materials & Technique
The jug is made of stoneware, a clay that has been fired at an extremely high temperature. This results in a hard, non-porous body. In this case, the body is known as 'tigerware' because of the mottled brown glaze. The handles of stoneware jugs were always the most vulnerable part. The original handle on this jug must have been damaged beyond repair and so replaced with a silver one.
Ornament
The decoration, with its caryatids, mythological scene and Latin inscription, is characteristic of the Renaissance style then current in England.
Stoneware jugs, like this one, were imported into England in vast quantities from major production centres in the Rhineland, Germany. They were extremely cheap, costing only a few pence.
History & Use
A French visitor to London in the 1550s noted that the English drink beer 'not in glasses but in earthenware pots with silver handles and covers.' The unique English fashion for mounted earthenware jugs reached its height in the mid 16th century. The mounts were generally in silver or silver gilt, richly decorated and heavily ornamented. They could cost between £1 and £3.
Materials & Technique
The jug is made of stoneware, a clay that has been fired at an extremely high temperature. This results in a hard, non-porous body. In this case, the body is known as 'tigerware' because of the mottled brown glaze. The handles of stoneware jugs were always the most vulnerable part. The original handle on this jug must have been damaged beyond repair and so replaced with a silver one.
Ornament
The decoration, with its caryatids, mythological scene and Latin inscription, is characteristic of the Renaissance style then current in England.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Stoneware, with silver-gilt mounts |
| Brief description | Pot, stoneware with silver-gilt mounts, Britain, ca.1550. |
| Physical description | Pot, stoneware with silver-gilt mounts. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This imported stoneware jug cost very little but the addition of silver-gilt mounts made it fashionable and expensive. The ornament shows an interest in human forms. The caryatids (half-human, half-pedestal shapes) are taken from architecture. On the lid, the classical Greek hero Hercules captures the monstrous dog Cerberus, guardian of the underworld.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Pot made in Germany; mounts probably made in England |
| Summary | Object Type Stoneware jugs, like this one, were imported into England in vast quantities from major production centres in the Rhineland, Germany. They were extremely cheap, costing only a few pence. History & Use A French visitor to London in the 1550s noted that the English drink beer 'not in glasses but in earthenware pots with silver handles and covers.' The unique English fashion for mounted earthenware jugs reached its height in the mid 16th century. The mounts were generally in silver or silver gilt, richly decorated and heavily ornamented. They could cost between £1 and £3. Materials & Technique The jug is made of stoneware, a clay that has been fired at an extremely high temperature. This results in a hard, non-porous body. In this case, the body is known as 'tigerware' because of the mottled brown glaze. The handles of stoneware jugs were always the most vulnerable part. The original handle on this jug must have been damaged beyond repair and so replaced with a silver one. Ornament The decoration, with its caryatids, mythological scene and Latin inscription, is characteristic of the Renaissance style then current in England. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 2119-1855 |
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| Record created | April 22, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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