SORRY SOLD: Fantastic, large, German, stoneware, Westerwald “ball belly†jug (kugelbauchkrug), dated “1644†bearing the heraldic arms of Baron von Constantin von Nivenheim, Rheinland, Germany.
Nicely decorated jug with applied stylized lions wearing crowns and 3 large oval medallions with the Baron’s heraldic arms, each encircled with the Baron’s name and titles with the date 1644 above. A band of decorative punch marks around the shoulder is also enhanced with cobalt. About 11†tall.
The jug has a piece about 6 1/2†x 6 ½†that was broken out on the lower left of the front. And glued back in place It involves the lower right edge of the front medallion where a small piece is missing and a sliver is also missing below, see photos. During the jug’s working lifetime the handle was broken off and the jug was fitted with an interesting makeshift pewter handle that was too weak and had also broken off. The pewter nubs remain. (See photo.)
During the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) the German Rheinland was invaded by French armies and came under French influence. Hence the use of the fleur-de-lis design in a German Baron’s arms.
A Baardmankruik (beard man jug) bearing three medallions of the same design (also dated 1644) is in the collection of the Rijksmuseum #BK-NM-10069.
A large, impressive piece of historical importance!

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Antique Porcelain & Pottery