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Antique Ceramics

16th Century 3x Medallion Bellarmine Bottle, ELIZABETH I Coat of Arms

16th Century 3x Medallion Bellarmine Bottle, ELIZABETH I Coat of Arms

Regular price £1,860.00 GBP
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Elizabeth I Royal Coat of Arms, England

A rare salt glazed Bellarmine jug from the end of the 16th century, c1590-1600 featuring 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). 

This bottle is a very rare example of early German stoneware made specifically for the English market, combining robust craftsmanship with royal iconography from the Elizabethan period.

Another example with a reversed shield: ER Bellarmine

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: Restoration to the neck and handle. Please check photos carefully. 

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