A Large 17th Century Bellarmine Jug 

A large impressive c1600 Bellarmine or Bartmann Stoneware jug in very good condition. 

The jug is made of earthenware with a rich orange peel salt glaze . It has the characteristic face mask on the neck which is supposed to mockingly represent Cardinal Bellarmino, a Roman Catholic persecutor of Protestants in the Low Countries. Hence the name Bellarmine jug. Bartmann, on the other hand, means bearded man in German.

The jug is also marked with the number 4. The condition of the jug is very good for its age. There are a couple of  Kiln knocks during firing which add to character of this jug.

27cm Wide

43cm High.