Small Narrow-Necked Jug with Pewter Cover

Comparative literature: Bosch 1984, No. 176 pp. 219–272 = Keramos 7/1960 p. 12 – Ziffer 2005, nos. 17–19. – Grieb 2007, p. 617 – Ziffer 2012, nos. 15, 16. – Gruyter 2018, pp. 388–389.

The narrow-necked jug has a bulging body with oblique fluting and a finely ribbed neck with a high rim. The front is decorated with an oval medallion framed by green acanthus leaves. The pictorial scene reveals a landscape with a large expanse of water. At the right edge of the image, a massive tower-like church building with annex and further structures rises on an island. To the left of the church stands a tower with an arched gateway. Trees and shrubs rise between the buildings. In the foreground at the left edge are two wanderers. A range of hills is schematically indicated in the background. The scene is executed entirely in Schwarzlot, whereas the remaining decoration on the jug is painted in colorful overglaze enamels. To accentuate the main side above the medallion, the neck is adorned with a sunflower blossom. The floral garland surrounding the medallion consists mainly of anemones in violet, blue, and red. Fine, thinly painted red vine tendrils as well as green leaves are placed among the blossoms and foliage. Beneath the medallion, a red mascaron decorates the lower body of the vessel.

When comparing faience pieces produced around 1700 by Abraham Helmhack, closely related forms of decoration can quickly be discerned on this jug. Its attribution to Helmhack is therefore secure. As with Johann Schaper, the motifs in the present case may also have been derived from the oeuvre of the Parisian engraver Gabriel Perelle (1603–1677). (Text according to Silvia Glaser, Neuner Collection, Vol. III, p. 160)