"Early 17th Small Bellarmine Stoneware Salt Pitcher Called Bartmannkrug"
HAUTE EPOQUEEarly 17th century (around 1610/1640)
Small "Bellarmine" pitcher called Bartmannskrug in salt-enameled stoneware (certainly manufactured in RAAREN or Frechen, in Germany), depicting a bearded and grimacing old man (the face is applied to the neck of the pitcher), with a very large belly, the pitcher would caricature Cardinal Bellarmine.
Another oval relief medal in the center on the belly, depicts a stylized lion standing on its hind legs.
Traces of manufacture by the potter of this folk art piece are sometimes visible, specially at the level of the lower attachment of the handle, placed and reinforced with slip, or the smoothing of the outline of the bearded man's head, which further adds to the charm of this funny piece.
The pitcher is here small size (see on my other ads a huge very large model of Bellamrine pitcher with same typology) and measures only 22cm high for a diameter of 13,5cm.
Absolutely in perfect condition, which is unfortunately not always the case, these jugs being often restored.
These ceramics were produced in number during this period and imported successfully, notably to London by Dutch shippers throughout the 17th century, for wine and beer; they happily decorated folk art of tableware.
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