Jug (Bartmann jug) with the coat of arms of Cologne and Gulik-Kleef-Berg 1577

This "Bartmann Jug," of unknown date, is a stoneware vessel adorned with the coat of arms of Cologne and Gulik-Kleef-Berg. Its earthy brown glaze and bulbous form suggest utility, yet the intricate relief decoration elevates it beyond mere function. The jug's appeal lies in the tension between its simple form and complex iconography. The coats of arms, rendered with careful detail, signify power and identity. Notice how the circular medallions create focal points, drawing the eye across the jug's surface. The handle and pewter lid add vertical elements that offset the vessel's rounded body. This jug embodies the semiotic richness of everyday objects. Each element—from the stoneware material to the heraldic symbols—functions as a signifier. Through these signs, the jug communicates ideas about status, trade, and regional identity. Consider how this object, once used to pour liquids, now pours forth stories of a bygone era, offering us a glimpse into the cultural codes and social structures of the time.