Photograph: Green glazed jug with brown, green and cream stripes. The top part is decorated with a man's bearded face. On the body of the jug are his arms and hands, which are clenched together.
See a larger image

Jug

Date: early 1300s

Jugs with faces were popular. Most of the potteries around London made them. They often show a man pulling his own beard. This one was made in Kingston, and is shaped like a bearded man wringing his hands. We don't know what the decoration means on these 'anthropomorphic' jugs - perhaps it is a medieval joke or caricature that has been forgotten over time.

Accession number: 5591

Place made: Kingston-upon-Thames, London [Kingston-upon-Thames]

Place of collection: Bishopsgate Street, London EC2 [City of London]

Material: ceramic; earthenware

Measurements: H 256 mm

Gallery location: Case 17.6

Related material

Subjects:

Local Trade
Manufacturing

Objects:

    The Museum of London Group is funded by the City of London and the Greater London Authority. Museum of London, London Wall, LONDON EC2Y 5HN, United Kingdom. Copyright & legal notices. This site is maintained by the Museum IT Team.