Jug - Creamware - Bartmannskrug Antique

Historical Bartmann jug made of stoneware with three coat-of-arms medallions – probably 17th century

Expressive, bulbous Bartmann jug made of reddish-brown stoneware with a strong handle, short neck, and flared mouth. At the neck is the characteristic plastic Bartmann mask of a bearded man. The vessel body is decorated with three round, applied coat-of-arms medallions.

The escutcheon plates show a shield-shaped area with a cross-like motif. Above it is a relief helmet- or crown-like ornament with curved side elements. The coat of arms could not be identified.

The combination of Bartmann mask, bulbous form, and three coat-of-arms medallions is found in historical Bartmann jugs from the Rhineland stoneware production. Comparable pieces in museum collections are dated Frechen near Cologne and to the 17th century. Therefore, this specimen is also cautiously placed within the Frechen or Rhineland stoneware tradition of the 17th century.

Material: Stoneware
Probable origin: Frechen, Rhineland, Germany
Dating: presumably 17th century

Dimensions and weight

* Height: 25.2 cm
* Maximum diameter: 16 cm
* Mouth diameter: 5.6 cm
* Weight: 1,320 g

Condition: Age- and manufacture-related irregularities. Small defects on the lower base ring. At the bottom end of the plastic Bartmann relief a small piece is missing. The grainy fracture surface does not clearly reveal whether the damage occurred during manufacture or later. Please refer to the detailed photos.