Bellarmine or Bartman jug 1535 - 1545

This stoneware jug, also known as a Bellarmine or Bartman jug, was made in the 16th century in Germany. The jug's distinctive bulbous shape and handle, along with the applied molded decoration, are characteristic of this type of vessel. The "Bellarmine" name likely refers to Robert Bellarmine, a 16th-century Cardinal, who was often portrayed with a beard. These jugs, often made of salt-glazed stoneware, were commonly used for storing and serving beer or ale. The jug is currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.