Jug

Object/Artifact

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Jug

Entry/Object ID

VC.58.408

Description

Jug, bulbous: Bellarmine, handled at neck; brown "tiger ware" speckled saltglaze; applied bearded male mask, crudely modelled; on body, beneath mask, rondel containing simple geometric flower.

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Unknown

Attribution

Maker

Notes

Dates: c. 1750 Date made: r. 1668 - 1699

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall

Height

9-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)

Material

Stoneware

Relationships

Related Entries

Notes

VC.58.218 - Jug - Similar item VC.58.407 - Jug - Similar item

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

"Bellarmine", the commonest name for German Stonewear jugs with bearded masks, an early misnomer. Roberto Bellarmine, a Cardinal disliked by Protestants, ofter popularly considered to be caricatured on such jugs. Also, occasional reference in such respect to Duke d'Alva. Earliest dated examples of these jugs made well before birth of either man. "Bartmann" or bearded man is sounder but the less common nomenclature. Made in Rhenish Germany and developed to their height in Cologne area, 16th century. Bartmann jugs became popular in England during the reign of Elizabeth I. Such jugs, especially later examples with fierce masks, freguently used as "witch bottles"; buried under hearths with bits of hair, nail-parings, etc. to ward off spells; or filled with pierced cloth hearts to cast spells. Generally all-purpose jugs for liquids, sturdy and difficult to break.

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Van Cortlandt Complex, Ferry House - Keeper's Room/SE