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Puzzle jug: C.1321-1928

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An image of Puzzle jug
An image of Puzzle jug
An image of Puzzle jug
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Pottery: unidentified London pottery

Entities

Categories

Description

Tin-glazed earthenware, pierced, and painted in blue with interlace motifs surrounding the inscription ‘C/WE/1653’ with a loopy flourish below

Notes

History note: Sotheby’s, 19 July, 1920 lot 158; purchased by Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, FRS, Trinity College, Cambridge

Legal notes

Dr J.W.L. Glaisher Bequest

Measurements and weight

Height: 16.5 cm
Width: 6½ cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928-12-07) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

17th Century, Mid
Commonwealth
Production date: dated AD 1653

Note

This is the earliest recorded dated English delftware puzzle jug

Components of the work

Decoration composed of cobalt
Body
Neck

Materials used in production

buff Earthenware
Tin-glaze

Inscription or legends present

  • Text: C/WE/1653’
  • Location: On front of body
  • Method of creation: Painted in blue
  • Type: Inscription

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: C.1321-1928
Primary reference Number: 71809
Old object number: 3860

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Thursday 14 August 2025

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Puzzle jug" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/71809 Accessed: 2025-12-05 06:18:22

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/71809 |title=Puzzle jug |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 06:18:22|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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