Jug
Unknown Artist
15th–16th century
Medium
Earthenware
Dimensions
Overall: 5 1/16 x 5 1/4 in. (12.9 x 13.4 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture
French
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.194.2197
Art Historical Context
This modest earthenware jug, crafted by an unknown French artisan in the 15th or 16th century, offers a glimpse into everyday life during the late medieval period. Standing just over 5 inches tall, its compact form—measuring 5 1/16 x 5 1/4 inches—s it was designed for practical use, perhaps for serving water, wine, or ale in a household setting. Produced during France's transition from the Middle to the Renaissance, such vessels were ubiquitous in homes, taverns, and monasteries, reflecting the era's reliance on durable, locally made ceramics. Earthenware, fired at relatively low temperatures...