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Elizabeth I Royal Coat of Arms, England
A very attractive and rare salt glazed Bellarmine jug from the end of the 16th century, c1590-1600. Wonderfully and skilfully formed, this jug features a large characterful bearded face and 3 matching medallions with the coat of arms for Queen Elizabeth 1 - a crowned shield quartered with the lions of England and fleur-de-lis, flanked by the initials ER and opposing lions. The scrolling motto incorrectly rendered mottoe for the English Royal House: HONI SOIT N MAL PEN (Honi soit qui mal y pense - Shame on him who thinks evil of it). The glaze of an appealing mottled buff-to-light brown colouring.
This bottle is a striking and rare example of early German stoneware made specifically for the English market, combining robust craftsmanship with royal iconography from the Elizabethan period.
A very similar bottle can be found in the Frechen ceramics museum, inv. no. A 176
The British Museum also holds a dated Bellarmine (1594) with a near very similar coat of arms. Museum Number: 1889,0702.7
UK Shipping included. Royal Mail Special Delivery.
Condition: Long shallow restored chip to the front of the mouth. Diamond shaped area of restoration below the front medallion 5cm x 3cm. Restored cracks running in various directions, mostly to the bottom half - it is difficult to discern whether or not the base has been restuck. Possibly a restored chip toward to the handle.
