Jug
Unknown Artist
13th–14th century
Medium
Earthenware, glaze
Dimensions
Overall: 6 11/16 x 4 15/16 x 5 3/8 in. (17 x 12.6 x 13.6 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture
French
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1952
Accession Number
52.21.3
Art Historical Context
This unassuming yet elegant jug, crafted by an unknown French artisan in the 13th–14th century, offers a glimpse into medieval daily life. Made of earthenware coated with a glossy glaze, it measures a compact 6 11/16 x 4 15/16 x 5 3/8 inches, perfect for pouring wine, water, or ale in a household or tavern. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1952 and now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval Art department, it exemplifies the practical ceramics that bridged utility and subtle artistry during France's Gothic era. The use of earthenware—a fired clay body common across medieval Eu...