Normandy is well known for cider and Calvados, but it’s also a great area for eating apples (also called dessert apples) which are more tart and juicy than cider apples.
This beautiful hand-crafted, antique apple cider jug is made from oak and iron. It is a lovely example of a traditional cider bottle from this part of France, with its beautifully patinated finish.
Sizes
This polished brass jug of the normandy variety was hand crafted in the late nineteenth century. Its hefty molded lid with riveted handle makes for a satisfying drink. The jug is most likely to be used for milk, but it also looks great on display. The best part is the jug is not prone to tarnishing or leaking when the lid is open. It is also a very good insulator, so it could be used for anything from cold beer to warm tea.
Styles
The normandyjug is made in a number of different styles. The most notable is the French Norman style, which harkens back to the rural vernacular architecture of France. These homes often feature a central tower/turret with a steeply pitched hip roof. The style was popular in the early twentieth century and was inspired by a renewed interest in French architectural design and culture after World War I. Unlike the English Tudor, which was based on grand Parisian palaces, this style is more reminiscent of barns and farmhouses located in rural France.
The jug is made of polished brass and features an ornate lid with a thick handle that attaches near the lip. It measures 9.5 inches tall and 4.25 inches in diameter. It is made in the city of Rouen, which has been a center for faience production since at least the 1540s.
History
The Normandy region has a long and rich history. From the Vikings to Romans, Normandy has been home to many people and cultures over the centuries.
The name Normandy comes from the Latin word ‘nortmanni’, which means ‘men of the North’. It is thought that the Vikings settled in this area during the 8th century after the Frankish king conceded the land around Rouen (including the mouth of the Seine River) to their chief, Rollo.
As a result of this influx of new people, the local population began to change. It became more literate, the language shifted and new architecture sprung up to suit the needs of a changing society.
In the 13th century, ceramic making centres in Normandy began to produce a range of finely decorated jugs that were exported to England. These jugs were designed to hold wine, a drink that was associated with wealthier members of English society.
These jugs often had a convex base that was shaped by the potter as they lifted them off the turning wheel. This was to reduce the contact between the pot and the wheel and, as a consequence, it made the jug easier to remove from the kiln.
Although these jugs were produced in Normandy, they can be found all over the world today. They are mainly made from red earthenware and have applied and incised decoration on the surface of the body, as well as traces of a brown glaze.
This jug is a rare example of a jug with a sagging base and was most likely used to store cider or wine. It is a very fine example of the craft and design of the time.
It has a loop handle with applied and incised decoration, including an intricate representation of a man’s face and a formal brooch between human breasts; the body is ribbed and textured. It is in excellent condition for its age and has a T-shaped gadget mark on the bottom of the foot.
In the 1860s, cider distillation was introduced in Normandy and, by the beginning of the 20th century, this area was producing a wide range of ciders. The growth of seaside tourism and the phylloxera crisis helped to boost the demand for these beverages. In 1916, however, a State monopoly was implemented on the sale of alcohol in France and this was to have a major impact on the cider industry in the country. This resulted in Calvados becoming more expensive.