The Coventry Face Jug

This unique green glazed medieval jug dates from the 14th Century. This jug was used at the dinner table to impress important guests, showing the owners had important status, wealth and good taste at that time.

The jug was made at Chilvers Coton (Nuneaton) and brought to Coventry for sale as it was the nearest City. Chilvers Coton was the site of medieval pottery and tile kilns.

Coventry had become a wealthy City by the 14th Century with its own markets, in which such expensive and fashionable items were for sale. The Face Jug was excavated by J.B. Shelton OBE from the site of the Benedictine Priory, Coventry's first Cathedral. The jug is part of the Shelton Collection in The Herbert.

Stick Figure

Decoration in the form of clay strips applied to the pot's surface to look like a female figure wearing a dress held by a decorative brooch with a cross hanging below her left elbow.

The brooch could equally be a decorative dish with perhaps a fish for serving at a meal. The lady could be holding the dish in front of her as if for sale or show.

The cross reminds us that this pot was from a monastic house, perhaps being used by the Benedictine Monks.

Three large handles are needed as the jug weighs 2.5 kg empty and over 10 kg when full. The handles are decorated as well, providing extra grip when the vessel was full.

The face jug would hold 8 'pottles' or 12 pints of water, wine or 'small beer'. A 'pottle' is a measurement meaning a pint and a half and derives from a pottery bottle shortened to pottle. This object will be back on display as part of the new History Galleries.

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