Early 17th Cty Huge Salt-glazed Stoneware Bellarmine Or Bartmannkrug Bottle Frechen (germany)

Haute Epoque
1st half of the 17th century (around 1610/1640)

Very large salt-glazed stoneware pitcher called Bellarmine or "Bartmannskrug (certainly made in Frechen, Germany),
depicting a bearded man (the face is applied on the neck of the pitcher, and the broadly potbellied pitcher would caricature Cardinal Bellarmine.
Another circular relief medal .in the center on the belly, with floral radiating decoration, and 2 triangles on either side of the face are incised directly on pitcher material surface

The shape turned in sandstone presents original dents or pinches certainly linked to its handling before firing; also traces of contact of other pieces in oven during its manufacture. Its manufacturing defects obviously do not harm the aesthetics of this folk art piece, and the enamel drips on the unglazed lower part further add to the charm of this funny piece.

It should of course be noted its very large size, since the pitcher is no less than 45cm high for a diameter of 28cm !!!

Condition: only a small scratch on the collar.

These ceramics were successfully imported, particularly to London, by Dutch shippers throughout the 17th century, for wine and beer, and happily decorated the popular art of dining table.

Plesae check soon my next Proantic annoucement for a similar Bellarmine jug