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On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Jug

ca. 1480 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This jug is a rare survival of a type of tableware used by wealthy families in the Renaissance.
The decoration, with a representation of Cupid in triumph, is symbolic of love and this jug was probably used, filled with wine, during the celebration of a wedding or betrothal.
In the Renaissance, as now, brides and grooms exchanged gifts, and this jug might well have been given as a token of love. Given its impressive size and fine painting this would have been a treasured possession.

Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Tin-glazed earthenware painted with metal based colours
Brief description
Jug with the Triumph of Love, tin-glazed earthenware, made in Montelupo, Florence, ca 1480
Physical description
Large jug with loop handle depicting a vase at the bottom of the handle and the Triumph of Love within a wreath supported by two angels
Dimensions
  • Height: 38.5cm
  • Diameter: 29cm
Gallery label
Jug with the Triumph of Cupid
Italy, Montelupo, 1480

Museum number 1568-1855
Object history
Bought from Delange, Paris for 12l
Subjects depicted
Summary
This jug is a rare survival of a type of tableware used by wealthy families in the Renaissance.
The decoration, with a representation of Cupid in triumph, is symbolic of love and this jug was probably used, filled with wine, during the celebration of a wedding or betrothal.
In the Renaissance, as now, brides and grooms exchanged gifts, and this jug might well have been given as a token of love. Given its impressive size and fine painting this would have been a treasured possession.
Bibliographic references
  • Cora, Galeazzo, la storia della maiolica di Firenze e del contado, Florence, 1973, pl. 152, 153
  • Berti, Fausto Storia della ceramica di Montelupo, volume 1, 1997, plate 136
  • Berti, Fausto. Capolavori della maiolica rinascimentale: Montelupo "fabbrica" di Firenze 1400-1600. Montelupo Fiorentino : Florence, 2002 no.22
Other number
96 - Rackham (1977)
Collection
Accession number
1568-1855

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Record createdJune 8, 2006
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