Jug
1380-1400 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This remarkable copper alloy jug was found in a manor house in Norfolk, and it is one of three surviving jugs of different size, all possibly made by a London founder. All are decorated with inscriptions and the royal arms of England, as used between 1340-1405.The other jugs are the 'Asante jug' in the British Museum which was looted by British troops from Manhiya Palace in Kumasi, Ghana in 1895, and the 'Wenlok jug' in Luton Museum. The inscription on this translates as, 'God's grace be in this place, amen. Stand away from the fire and let just one come near.' Some of the letters on this jug have been placed upside down and probably indicate illiterate craftsmen.
The function of this jug is not known. Its weight makes it difficult to pick up, let alone pour. It is possible that it was intended for use with a ladle, or else was intended purely for display.
The function of this jug is not known. Its weight makes it difficult to pick up, let alone pour. It is possible that it was intended for use with a ladle, or else was intended purely for display.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Copper alloy; Cast |
Brief description | Jug, a large copper alloy and lead bronze jug, inscribed in Lombardic lettering in English, '+ GODDIS GRACE BE IN THIS PLACE AMEN. + STOND UTTIR FROM THE FYRE AND LAT ON IUST COME NERE', possibly London, 1380-1400. |
Physical description | Large bronze jug, with wide belly, spout and rope twist decorated handle with a flower terminal. Decorated with the Royal Arms of England as used between 1340 and 1405, and inscribed in Lombardic lettering in English around the belly of the jug: '+ GODDIS GRACE BE IN THIS PLACE AMEN + STOND UTTIR FROM THE FYRE AND LAT ON IUST COME NERE' (God's gace be in this place, amen. Stand away from the fire and let just one come near). The crowned royal arms are on the front of the jug, and repeated twice on each side of the neck of the jug. There are also crowns on the spout and the sides. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Gallery label |
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Object history | Found in a manor house in Norfolk in 1879. Historical significance: Only two comparable jugs survive in public collections, the 'Asante jug' (British Museum) and the 'Wenlok jug' (Luton Museum). The latter one appears to have been cast in the same workshop possibly for the use of the royal household. |
Summary | This remarkable copper alloy jug was found in a manor house in Norfolk, and it is one of three surviving jugs of different size, all possibly made by a London founder. All are decorated with inscriptions and the royal arms of England, as used between 1340-1405.The other jugs are the 'Asante jug' in the British Museum which was looted by British troops from Manhiya Palace in Kumasi, Ghana in 1895, and the 'Wenlok jug' in Luton Museum. The inscription on this translates as, 'God's grace be in this place, amen. Stand away from the fire and let just one come near.' Some of the letters on this jug have been placed upside down and probably indicate illiterate craftsmen. The function of this jug is not known. Its weight makes it difficult to pick up, let alone pour. It is possible that it was intended for use with a ladle, or else was intended purely for display. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 217-1879 |
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Record created | April 13, 2004 |
Record URL |
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