- Image reference 2006AM0807
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Jug
- Place of origin:
Surrey (on the border of, made)
Hampshire (on the border of, made) - Date:
1575-1600 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown
- Materials and Techniques:
Earthenware, dipped in a green lead glaze containing copper oxide
- Credit Line:
Given by Prof. A. H. Church
- Museum number:
268-1903
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 56d, case 13
Object Type
Almost an archetypal ale mug - strong, with reinforced rim and foot and a broad strap handle - this piece shows influence both from imported German brown stonewares and from contemporary squat baluster-shaped pewter jugs.
Materials & Making
Throughout the 16th century the inhabitants of London were largely dependent on imported pottery for dining table, kitchen and tavern. These imports had either the advantage of superior material, like salt-glazed stonewares from Germany, or lively-coloured decoration, like maiolica from Italy, Spain or the Netherlands, and coloured lead-glazed earthenwares from France. Successful copies, such as this mug, were made using local materials. The fine almost white clays on the Surrey/Hampshire borders proved ideal for copying the sharp profiles of German stonewares, enhanced and made waterproof by a thick green glaze.
