Drie kannen van zandsteen uit de gemeente Raeren, België before 1887

These three sandstone jugs, arranged on the page, were produced in Raeren, Belgium. The jugs give us an insight into the cultural and economic networks of the time. Raeren was known for its stoneware production, and these jugs would have been functional objects, but also signifiers of status due to their elaborate decorations. The relief decorations and overall elegance of form place these jugs into the category of the ‘Gres Mosan.’ This type of stoneware was commonly fabricated in the towns of Bouffioulx, Bourguignon, Chatelet, Dinant, Namur, Pont-de-Long and Verviers. The imagery and symbols could be explored further to understand the social values and beliefs prevalent in the region during their production. Studying stoneware production and trade routes of the period through museum collections and archives would give a more complete picture of the artisans and consumers involved. Understanding the social and institutional histories behind objects such as these helps us appreciate their place in the broader cultural landscape.