Designed in 1934 for the first class tables on the Normandie cruise ship, this silver-plated normandyjug by Puiforcat is a discreetly elegant piece of cutlery that adds an eye-catching touch to everyday drinking.
The jug has a gourd-shaped body and loop handle in applied motifs. The mouth of the jug has applied and incised decoration with traces of a brown glaze. The base is ‘thumbed’ all round the footrim, a feature often found on medieval jugs.
This jug has two applied neck rings and the widest point of the jug is engraved with foliage in the clear colourway. The jug is 15.5 cm (6.2 inches) in height and is 7.8 cm (3.1 inches) by 6 cm (2.4 inches) at the pouring rim.
It is decorated with a vine scroll motif that is typical of Saintonge jugs. It is a fine example of the excellent skills of the pottery craftsmen at Saintonge and has been expertly restored.
The jug’s neck is also engraved with an incised crest of castle and leaf motifs. The jug is stamped with the ‘Normandie’ stamp and is in excellent condition.
Aside from dairy cows and cheese, Normandy is famous for its cider, a drink made from apples that can be drunk as is, or used in baking. There are also many artisanal distilleries that produce Calvados, the strong apple brandy, from these same cider apples.
Throughout Normandy, July is a month full of festivals and events that enliven the region with culture, history and entertainment. From jazz to Medieval events there is plenty to get your teeth into in the beautiful French countryside.