Bellarmine
1600 - 1675
The exact meaning of so-called 'greybeard jugs' is unknown. There are a number of hypotheses ranging from the representation of the Jesuit Robertus Bellarminus, the Duke of Alva, Charlemagne to Christ, the medieval wild man or the wary tippler. This decoration probably has its origin in the pointed nose jugs from Raeren. Further information is to be found in Ch. Van Hees, Baardmannen en puntneuzen. Vorm, gebruik en betekenis van gezichtskruiken 1500-1700, Zwolle, 2002. The decoration - such as the bearded man here, the two rampant lions and the coat of arms of Amsterdam - was produced with a mould or stamp and applied to the jug before firing. As is typical of these jugs, the greybeard is placed on the opposite side to the handle. Where the bottom of the handle joins the body of the jug, the vessel is decorated with five imprinted circles. The cloudy effect on the jug was obtained by the deposit of evaporated salt added during the firing process.
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