A normandyjug is a cylindrical container with a handle that is used for holding and pouring liquids.
Historically, milk from dairy farms was transferred into individual containers such as this jug.
This polished brass jug was hand-crafted in Normandy, France circa 1850. The outside was lightly textured by a technique called hammering and features a scalloped collar where the neck attaches to the body.
Material
Normandy is a region of France that lays at the very western end of Europe. The area is renowned for its scenic beauty and rich history. Its beaches are surrounded by tall cliffs, which make a perfect backdrop for the picturesque landscape of Normandy. It is also well known for its quaint churches that are architecturally striking and have a distinct sense of meditative calmness. This is why it is not surprising that the pottery found in this region is reminiscent of England, especially in the early period.
Generally made from clay, this normandyjug is decorated with an applied slip and moulded decoration. The jug is crafted with a scalloped collar, a rolled lip, and a thick handle. It is further embellished with a crest on the front that depicts castle and leaf motifs.
Design
This is an antique Normandy jug with a molded lid and riveted handle. The jug was crafted in the mid-19th century and is in very good condition for its age with only minor wear consistent with its use.
The rounded bowl is cut with a band of deep wedge cuts that encircle the body and are engraved with a pattern of chequered diamonds. It is then faceted with six small facets that form the base of the elongated stem.
It is marked with the inscription “NORMANDY”. The jug is made from lead crystal and is signed on the side with a mark that reads “WEBB ENGLAND”. This is a common stamp used by British manufacturers from the late 1950s to 1966.
One of the most interesting things to see in Normandy are the churches. They are a most striking example of the influence that the English have exerted on this country over the centuries. These are some of the finest examples of stately Norman or Gothic architecture that you will find anywhere in the world.
There is a rich variety of styles in these ancient buildings, but they all have in common a reposeful dignity that is hard to find in modern buildings. This is the result of skill and of the fact that every part of these magnificent cathedrals is occupied by a purpose.
On the road between Conches and Beaumont-le-Roger, a little way before the abbey, you will find a poplar-bordered road which is typical of the routes nationales that connect the great towns of Normandy with their surrounding forests. The engineers have found it impossible to make these straight roads as they would be in England, and so they have given them a twist which is almost as if the road had been turned around. The twist is a welcome break from the monotony of the great perspectives that stretch away from the road for many miles.
A trip to Normandy can be a delight for everyone. The scenery is rich, the people are friendly, and the hotels are very much improved over twenty years ago. The omnibuses which used to scream in the streets have been replaced by electric trams, and they are a welcome reduction of noise.