文艺复兴时期 石瓷 盐釉啤酒杯 - Raeren - 122 mm

“Raeren Stoneware Salt-Glazed Beer Mug with Handle”

Culture / Period: German Rhineland, Raeren – Renaissance Period
Date / Period: 16th century, circa 1530
Material: Salt-glazed stoneware
Dimensions: Height 122 mm
Condition: Good condition, with minor chipping to the rim and base consistent with age and use

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Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 98
The current owner purchased the mug from a private collector, P.G., Reuver, the Netherlands
The previous owner stated that the object had been in his collection since an unknown date
According to the previous owner, the piece had previously been in a private Dutch collection since the 1990s
No further information concerning earlier ownership history is available

Background Information:
This stoneware beer mug originates from the renowned pottery centre of Raeren, located in the German Rhineland near present-day Belgium. During the 16th century, Raeren developed into one of the most important production sites for high-fired stoneware in Europe, alongside Cologne (Köln) and Siegburg. The region’s craftsmen perfected salt-glazing techniques, resulting in durable, watertight vessels with a characteristic slightly textured surface and warm brown to grey tones.

Beer mugs of this type were widely used in taverns, households, and communal settings throughout the Renaissance period. Their sturdy construction made them particularly suitable for daily use, especially in regions where beer was a staple beverage. The applied handle and slightly flaring rim reflect practical design considerations, ensuring ease of use and durability in a social drinking context.

The horizontal ribbing seen on the body is typical of Raeren production and was created during the throwing process on the wheel. Such decorative yet functional elements provided both grip and structural strength. These vessels were produced in organised workshop environments, where potters adhered to established forms and techniques, demonstrating a high level of standardisation and craftsmanship.

Raeren stoneware was widely traded across Northern and Western Europe. Such vessels were exported in large quantities and have been found in archaeological contexts across regions including the Netherlands, England, and Scandinavia. This widespread distribution illustrates the importance of the Rhineland pottery industry within early modern trade networks.

Dating to the early 16th century, around 1530, this mug belongs to a formative period in Raeren production, when potters were refining both form and glazing techniques. It reflects the transition from medieval ceramic traditions to more standardised Renaissance forms associated with increasing urbanisation and commercial exchange.

This piece provides a direct and physical link to the daily life of the Renaissance period, when objects such as this were integral to social interaction and domestic routines. It forms a tangible connection to the early modern world, where such vessels played a practical and familiar role in everyday life.