Large Raeren Stoneware Jug, Judith And Holofernes, Circa 1600–1630

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An imposing antique stoneware jug, likely made in Raeren around 1600–1630. Standing 34 cm tall, with its rich cobalt-blue decoration and substantial pewter rim, it is a collector’s piece full of character.

The jug features a rounded shoulder, a cylindrical middle section, and a lower section that tapers toward the base. The shoulder is divided into compartments alternating between fine carved decoration and stamped floral motifs. In the lower section, vertical fluting outlined in blue accentuates the shape. Moldings and small ornaments frame the various decorative zones.

The body is encircled by a relief frieze consisting of ten panels beneath arches, separated by pilasters and accompanied by short explanatory inscriptions. The scenes depict the story of Judith and Holofernes, including the banquet, the decapitation, and the presentation of the severed head.

According to the biblical account, the city of Bethulia is under siege by Holofernes’s army. Judith, a courageous Jewish widow, manages to enter his camp. When Holofernes falls asleep, drunk after a banquet, she beheads him with his own sword. Accompanied by her maid, she brings his head back to Bethulia. The death of the military leader causes panic among his troops, leading to the city’s liberation. Judith thus saves the besieged inhabitants and protects her people.

This story of Jewish origin, taken from the Book of Judith, holds an important place in Christian art. In it, Judith embodies courage, faith, and victory over a seemingly invincible enemy.

A very similar copy is housed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, under inventory number BK-NM-9378. Dated to around 1610–1630, it bears strong similarities in form, the decoration on the shoulder, the vertical fluting, and the frieze depicting Judith and Holofernes. The museum’s example features nine figurative panels, whereas the jug presented here has ten. This comparison provides valuable insight, though it does not allow us to definitively attribute the piece to the same workshop.

An old handwritten label in French, preserved beneath the base, bears the inscription “Grès de Raeren” and a date from the 16th century. We cautiously attribute it to Raeren, circa 1600–1630.

The pewter mount includes the hinged lid, the neck band, the replacement pewter handle, the foot band, and a long reinforcing band connecting the neck to the foot. At the base of the handle, the pewter is thickened to ensure its secure attachment. This substantial mount lends the object a particularly distinctive historical character.

Condition:
The jug shows visible damage and old pewter repairs. One of the ten relief panels is damaged, and a significant portion of the scene is missing; this scene is identical to that of the eighth panel. There are also small shrinkage cracks, chips, and small areas where material is missing. The pewter mount has a patina and shows signs of wear. The photographs are an integral part of the description.

Dimensions and weight:
Height: 34 cm.
Maximum diameter of the body: approximately 19 cm.
Total weight, including the mount: 2,692 grams.

An impressive antique stoneware jug, ideal for collectors of Rhenish ceramics, biblical scenes, and historical objects bearing the marks of their use and past repairs.

Thank you for your interest. Please feel free to contact us for any additional information or to request detailed photographs.

Best regards,
La Trésorerie