Jug 1575 - 1585

This stoneware jug with silver mounts was created by John Eydes, who lived between 1525 and 1625, a period of significant social and religious upheaval in Europe. Objects like this jug provide a lens through which we can examine the intersection of class, religion, and identity during the Renaissance. Stoneware was a durable and relatively affordable material, making it accessible to a broad spectrum of society. However, the addition of elaborate silver mounts transformed this functional object into a display of wealth and status. The religious context is subtly referenced through the jug's form and decoration. While not overtly religious, the craftsmanship and precious materials signal a connection to the patronage systems of the time, where the church and wealthy elites commissioned art to display their power. The jug reflects the complex interplay between practicality, social aspiration, and religious undertones, inviting us to consider the identities and values of those who used and admired it.