A desirable \'Number 6\' Westerwald saltglazed stoneware GR jug, circa 1720 For Sale

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Antique pottery in good taste – harmic.little  A brilliant brightly decorated and unusually detailed small Westerwald stoneware \'GR\' jug, carefully incised in cobalt blue and manganese with bold incised tulip flower designs either side of the central applied GR medallion; a faint painted number 6 on the back of the jug in blue signifying a capacity mark; Germany, Westerwald region, circa 1715 - 1730. These beautiful little jugs were made in very large numbers during the reigns of the three King Georges, primarily as robust, impervious, hygienic and very hard-wearing tavern drinking vessels. They were originally exported from the Westerwald region of Germany to England. Many were then re-exported from England to the American colonies. On the center of the front of the mug there is a beautiful applied medallion of simple form bearing the \'GR\' (representing George I or II in this case) cypher with a crown above. The medallion is in turn surrounded by an incised wavy edged \'flower\' design and was probably based on some form of medal or heraldic device. There is also a triangular \'apron\' of punched dots just below the cylindrical neck. The neck of the jug has a series of decorative turning lines attractively washed in a delicious mulberry color. The top of the handle has a small hole pierced in the clay, to enable the \'peg\' of a pewter lid to be fitted. The lid was probably the option of the owner and would help to keep out flies and dust from the beer inside.Interestingly, there is an almost burnt-off number 6 capacity mark on on the back of the jug near the handle. This tells us that the capacity was a number 6 - the most common capacity mark found on Westerwald mugs and jugs of this period.  These patriotic mugs and jugs represented a considerable advance in the hygiene of drinkers over the old porous earthenware vessels they superseded - they could be cleaned easily and they were not prone to chip or crack.The condition of this jug is excellent for the period (see the accompanying photographs). There are no cracks or restoration. The is however a very slight sliver chip on the top of the rim near the handle. The height of the jug is approximately 5 7/8 inches. A superb and very attractive addition to your collection of Westerwald / GR jugs or to your specialist dealer\'s inventory. Good luck and thanks for offerding with harmic.little - THE premier seller for antique pottery and glass.   Insurance is included with shipping. Absolutely guaranteed authentic.
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