Gertz Germany - Jarra de cerveza - Gres - Jarra de vino Bellarmine

Magnificent Jugendstil Wine Jug – Westerwald, Germany / Gerz, circa 1900

A Modern Art Nouveau Interpretation of the Historic Bellarmine Tradition

This exceptional Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) wine jug represents a masterful fusion of centuries-old Rhineland stoneware tradition with the expressive ornamental language of Jugendstil at the turn of the 20th century. Produced in the Westerwald region, renowned for its stoneware since the Middle Ages, this vessel stands as a striking reinterpretation of the historic Bellarmine / Bartmann jug—transformed here into an elegant, sculptural wine jug of remarkable artistic presence. Weight: 1,6 Kilos.

Artistic Design – Jugendstil at Its Finest

The jug is richly decorated with flowing, organic Jugendstil ornamentation, characterized by:

Dynamic, plant-like relief patterns
Curvilinear lines and rhythmic movement
Deep cobalt-blue decoration on a cool grey-blue stoneware body
Sculptural mask motifs referencing the historic Bartmann tradition, reimagined in a modern, artistic context

The ornamentation appears almost alive, wrapping the vessel in a continuous visual rhythm that is both powerful and refined—a hallmark of high-quality Jugendstil ceramic design.

Material & Craftsmanship

High-fired Westerwald salt-glazed stoneware. Expertly modeled and relief-decorated. Crisp, sharply defined ornament. Even glaze with beautiful depth and subtle kiln effects. Fully functional yet unmistakably artistic

This is not a simple decorative object, but a confident statement piece, demonstrating the technical mastery and artistic ambition of German ceramics around 1900. The jug draws upon the centuries-long tradition of Bellarmine and Bartmann vessels, which originated in the Rhineland during the late Middle Ages and early modern period. Around 1900, Jugendstil artists rediscovered these historic forms and transformed them into modern works of applied art—uniting history, craftsmanship, and contemporary aesthetics.

This wine jug is a superb example of that movement:
tradition elevated into art.


Powerful Jugendstil visual impact

Deeply rooted in German ceramic history

Exceptional relief work and glaze quality

Ideal for serious collectors of Art Nouveau, stoneware, or German applied arts

Conclusion

This is a museum-worthy Jugendstil wine jug, embodying the transition from historic folk vessel to modern artistic object. Pieces of this quality and presence are increasingly sought after and rarely appear on the open market.