Jug
1674 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
One of the constant needs of a rural community was for massive beer or cider jugs. While the larger sizes of imported German stoneware bottle would have satisfied most needs, native potters made many plain lead-glazed earthenware jugs for carrying water from the well or carrying liquor to the harvesters in the field. It is mainly the inscribed presents such as this piece that have survived.
Materials & Making
This is a country potter's response to imported German stoneware. Since the basic clay is dark red, the desired treacle-brown colour is produced by adding iron and manganese to the lead glaze, while the decoration is confined to the application of small moulded 'prunts' (protrusions) and some hand-modelling. The precious white pipe-clay has been used sparingly.
Design & Designing
The jug itself is entirely functional and practical. However, the decoration contains elements borrowed from a variety of sources. The mask on the front was clearly inspired by stoneware bottles imported from Frechen (in Germany), and the applied medallions can also be traced to this source. The overall covering with prunts is reminiscent of contemporary imported blue and grey stonewares from the Westerwald in Germany. It is unlikely that the Wrotham potters would have been familiar with similar prunts on German glass.
One of the constant needs of a rural community was for massive beer or cider jugs. While the larger sizes of imported German stoneware bottle would have satisfied most needs, native potters made many plain lead-glazed earthenware jugs for carrying water from the well or carrying liquor to the harvesters in the field. It is mainly the inscribed presents such as this piece that have survived.
Materials & Making
This is a country potter's response to imported German stoneware. Since the basic clay is dark red, the desired treacle-brown colour is produced by adding iron and manganese to the lead glaze, while the decoration is confined to the application of small moulded 'prunts' (protrusions) and some hand-modelling. The precious white pipe-clay has been used sparingly.
Design & Designing
The jug itself is entirely functional and practical. However, the decoration contains elements borrowed from a variety of sources. The mask on the front was clearly inspired by stoneware bottles imported from Frechen (in Germany), and the applied medallions can also be traced to this source. The overall covering with prunts is reminiscent of contemporary imported blue and grey stonewares from the Westerwald in Germany. It is unlikely that the Wrotham potters would have been familiar with similar prunts on German glass.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Lead-glazed earthenware, with impressed and applied relief decoration, and additional decoration in white slip |
| Brief description | English jug |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Applied and impressed with the initials 'IL', 'IE', and 'II' and the date 1674 |
| Gallery label |
|
| Object history | Probably made by John Ifield of Wrotham, Kent |
| Production | Dated 1674 |
| Summary | Object Type One of the constant needs of a rural community was for massive beer or cider jugs. While the larger sizes of imported German stoneware bottle would have satisfied most needs, native potters made many plain lead-glazed earthenware jugs for carrying water from the well or carrying liquor to the harvesters in the field. It is mainly the inscribed presents such as this piece that have survived. Materials & Making This is a country potter's response to imported German stoneware. Since the basic clay is dark red, the desired treacle-brown colour is produced by adding iron and manganese to the lead glaze, while the decoration is confined to the application of small moulded 'prunts' (protrusions) and some hand-modelling. The precious white pipe-clay has been used sparingly. Design & Designing The jug itself is entirely functional and practical. However, the decoration contains elements borrowed from a variety of sources. The mask on the front was clearly inspired by stoneware bottles imported from Frechen (in Germany), and the applied medallions can also be traced to this source. The overall covering with prunts is reminiscent of contemporary imported blue and grey stonewares from the Westerwald in Germany. It is unlikely that the Wrotham potters would have been familiar with similar prunts on German glass. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.88-1930 |
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| Record created | July 14, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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