Every month we feature two blogs written by volunteers, one describes an object in the Palace and one a plant from the Garden. It is a great way to learn more about the Palace. If you would like to contribute there is no set format so please do send in your ideas.
Fragments of stoneware jugs produced in Frechen, near Cologne, Germany. Pottery, 1550-1700. On display at Fulham Palace in the temporary exhibition room.
September’s objects of the month are fragments of stoneware jugs produced in Frechen, near Cologne, Germany, 1550 - 1700. These objects were found during the community archaeology ‘Dovecote dig’ at Fulham Palace in October 2017. Hear from archaeology student and front of house volunteer Jemima Webb who opens up a discussion about what these intriguing fragments can tell us about Fulham Palace in Early Modern England.
The fragments found in the display of the temporary exhibition room are a wonderful example of the Frechen stoneware jugs which were used for decanting and holding beer and wine. The fragments demonstrate the distinctive relief decoration achieved through mould techniques as well as the reddish brown colour from the brown salt glaze. Some examples of this pottery were coloured with cobalt oxide so that the relief decoration could be highlighted in a bright cobalt blue.
One form of this pottery is known as ‘Bartmann‘, meaning ‘bearded man‘ in German, due to a characteristic relief of a bearded man on the neck of the jug. Another name for this form, first recorded in 1634, was ‘Bellarmine‘. This is associated with Cardinal Bellarmine (1542-1621) who was a fierce opponent of Protestantism and it has been suggested that it was named as such as a form of ridicule by the Dutch and English Protestant traders.
Complete Frechen stoneware jug in the ‘Bartmann‘ form
Close-up of one piece of a stoneware jug produced in Frechen, Germany, 1550-1700. On display at Fulham Palace in the temporary exhibition room.
The appearance of this stoneware at Fulham Palace is interesting evidence of the trade between England and Europe as it originates in Frechen, south-west of Cologne in the Rhine river valley. Then the jugs were probably shipped from Cologne to Amsterdam and Dordredcht and then onwards to England. The popularity of this style of jug is shown in the estimation of, by 1600, 100,000 pieces being imported into England annually.
Jemima Webb, Front of house volunteer
Many thanks to Jemima for this fantastic blog highlighting these interesting stoneware pieces. Please send your ideas for Object / Specimen of the month blogs to rachel.bagnall-bray@fulhampalace.org. If you would like some help, please let me know.