A puzzling puzzle jug ;)

Hello all Happy Weekend !

I'm posting a little oddity I picked up a few days ago ... very knocked about and very coarse in form but I thought it had a little folksy charm, plus yellow is always fun

it was very dirty when i bought it so couldn't really see the wear patterns. Now it's cleaned I can't figure out if this is a 70s art project from a Sunday potter or an old rustic puzzle jug. It looks sort of like Donyatt pieces and or many French regional styles by the glaze, but the overall view doesn't seem to fit in anywhere.

It has no marks on it at all which I'd expect if it was a recent thing. There is only one hole and the base, which doesn't seem to provide much of a puzzle...

Hoping someone with more experience with glazes and puzzle jugs might be able to advise. Thanks for looking

 

looks like old english slipware

think its supposed to be a bird ?

 

Thank you! Yes it is a bird form, my photos don't capture that very well unfortunately, but it has a little beaky spout.

Any idea why just a hole in the base? Is it just for cleaning?

Also I probably should have mentioned I bought this in France...not to rule out English of course but maybe slightly less likely?

 

does the hole go right through to the centre, meaning if you put liquid in the jug, would it come through the hole ?

 

Yes, if you fill it without plugging the hole it comes right out again

 

Here's another pic showing its 'birdness'

Also it's glazed inside mostly, though doesn't seem to be at the bottom inside (hard to tell for sure tho as very dirty!)

 

I asked Gemini, Google's AI platform, about the hole (take it for what its worth):


Drinking Mechanism:

• Historical Context: In the past, some puzzle jugs were designed with a hidden hole in the bottom to make drinking more challenging. These jugs were often used for entertainment at social gatherings.
• How it Worked: The hole would be disguised or blended into the design of the jug. The drinker would unwittingly cover the hole with their thumb while trying to drink, leading to spillage or frustration.

2. Drainage for Firing Process:

• Production Functionality: In some cases, the hole might be a leftover element from the pottery firing process.
• Clay and Air Release: During firing, especially with earlier kilns, trapped air or moisture in the clay could cause the jug to explode. A small hole at the bottom would allow air and steam to escape, preventing this.

How to Distinguish Between the Reasons:

• Size and Placement: Drinking holes tend to be smaller and positioned more towards the rim or disguised within the design. Drainage holes are usually larger and located near the base.
• Context and Design: If the jug has other features that suggest a puzzle function, like a hidden spout or multiple openings, the hole is more likely for drinking.

 

I think it might have had a bird's head shaped cup with it. The hole is a mystery as it's clearly original. I suspect that it is French.

 

Thank you @John Brassey ! So the cup would have sat in the neck like a lid? Maybe then the hole is just a drain hole to allow cleaning / flushing?

Curious to know what age would you think it might be?

 

Thank you for this. I've had someone suggest this might be a stock jug and the hole would be for draining out the seperated stock after cooling, leaving the fat layer in the jar. Definitely seems like it would function that way!