Puzzle Jug

Notes: I am revisiting the Exeter Puzzle jug. The jug was made in Saintonge in south-west France around 1300. The jug was found in Exeter, England.

http://www.exeter.gov.uk/timetrail/07_middleages/object_detail.asp?photoref=7_38

Archived version

http://pub2.exeter.gov.uk/timetrail/07_middleages/puzzle_jug.asp

http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/england/south-west/AD1066-1500/medievaltrade

I made this jug about 10-15 years ago, but the bottom bowl burst in the kiln. I am blaming the kiln for it’s uneven firing, but only the kiln God knows for sure and she is not telling. I have learned more about the way medieval potters worked since then. With the assistance of the internet now I have an actual measurement of the jug. It is 42cm in height. (16 1/2 inches) I figure the bowl part is about 4 inches high. My original was off by about 3-4 inches. The bowl I made was smaller I recall. Now to find out for sure if the colors are an underglaze or just colored slips. Both were used in period, but I haven’t studied French Medieval pottery to be sure which it is. Was it done like the Italian Majolica? Tin glazed? Was there a clear glaze over? I have found out that the French had access to a fine white body clay. Not as much iron as the clay in england. It could also be pulled thinner than the clay in England.