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| Face Jug 1270-1310 (British Museum) |
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| 1301-1400 (Museum of London) |
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| Kingston Anthropomorphic Jug 14th Century (Christies) |
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| Mudlarking Find |
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| 14th C (MetMuseum) |
Mudlarking on the Thames, London
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Medieval Anthropomorphic Jugs
Whilst some
hanker after pilgrim badges or coins, the find I'd probably be most delighted by is from one of these
a medieval jug with a face on it. I rather like the 'proper' term for these too, a right mouthful, 'anthropomorphic' - which in this instance means pots with partial or complete depiction of human bodies.
Apparently these jugs were very popular in London, the ones above were made in one of the main towns supplying pottery to London in the 13th-15th centuries, Kingston. They tend to be quite small around 12cm. Most jugs depict men with beards and they often seem to be tugging or stroking them. Their meaning has been lost over time, I like to think they embodied some irreverent joke.
As I packed away my finds and sifted through the old stuff, I pondered over one piece of decorated green glazed medieval pottery. I worked out the decoration would have gone diagonally - I wonder, could it possibly be one of those arms?...
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What a treat that would be to find a piece of one of those.
ReplyDeleteAnthropomorphic jugs are my absolute favorite! Such character in those faces. I reakon your shard could very well be one :) Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteVery cool- almost modern looking.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this form may have evolved into the Bellarmine form?
I found one in an antique store here in the U.S!
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