Old jar

Salt-Glazed Bartmann Jug (Bearded Man Jug)

Object Type:
Bartmann jug (also known as a Bellarmine jug)
Category: Ceramics and Porcelains
Material: Salt-glazed stoneware
Estimated Origin: Cologne or Frechen, Rhineland, Germany
Date: Early to mid-17th century (circa 1600–1650)
Dimensions: Approximate size based on eyeglasses (7–10” tall)

Identification and Description:

Your item is a Bartmann jug, a form of salt-glazed stoneware that was widely produced in the Cologne and Frechen regions of Germany from the 1500s through the 1700s. These jugs are immediately recognizable due to the applied bearded face mask on the neck and medallion-like stamped decoration on the belly.

• Bearded Face Mask: Represents a wild man or sometimes satirically associated with Cardinal Bellarmine, a staunch opponent of Protestantism.
• Medallion Seal: The crest with a heart and crown in your jug is a common heraldic motif seen on German jugs from the period. The presence of this stamped medallion likely served a symbolic or decorative purpose and sometimes indicated allegiance or city origin.
• Salt Glaze: The orange-brown mottled surface is a result of salt glazing, a technique where salt is introduced during firing to produce a glossy, pitted surface.

Condition:

• Structural Integrity: The jug has multiple visible cracks and repairs, including what looks like historic restoration and glue residue. A significant fracture line runs through the face and medallion area, suggesting major past damage.
• Surface Wear: Typical glaze loss and surface abrasions consistent with age. The bottom shows firing marks and base wear but no obvious maker’s mark, which is common for this period.
• Overall Condition: Fair, due to damage and repair, though still highly collectible for its age and rarity.

Historical Significance:

Bartmann jugs were used primarily for storing and transporting liquids like wine, beer, or spirits. Their robust design made them ideal for trade, and they were exported extensively, turning up in archaeological sites around the world, including colonial America and England.

Given that you saw a similar one in a museum in Canterbury, England, it's entirely plausible yours was also exported early or collected in the 19th or 20th century.

Estimated Market Value (as is):

• Museum or Reference-Grade Example in Excellent Condition: $2,000–$4,000+
• Your Jug (Fair Condition with Visible Restoration): $300–$700 USD

Note: Jugs with visible repairs and cracking fetch much less than intact examples, but early 17th-century Bartmann jugs are still highly desirable among collectors of early ceramics and European export ware.

Authentication:

Based on the form, applied decoration, salt glaze, and material, this jug appears to be authentic and period-correct for an early 17th-century German Bartmann jug. That said, a professional appraisal or ceramic expert (e.g., through a major auction house or regional museum) could verify this with high certainty, especially if provenance or restoration history is desired for insurance or donation purposes.

Recommendation:

• Preservation: Keep in a stable, climate-controlled environment. Avoid moisture or extreme temperature swings.
• Insurance: Insure at current market replacement value ($500–$700).
• Professional Appraisal: Contact a ceramic or antiquities specialist, such as through Bonhams, Christie's, or a local museum with European collections, for formal documentation.

Thank you for the detailed information!