Sixteenth Century Raeren ‘Peasants Dance’ Jug Sprig Mould, c.1580.

Sixteenth Century Raeren ‘Peasants Dance’ Jug Mould, c.1580.

Not often do we come across early ceramic decorators tools; this mould or matrix is made from white pipe clay, and would have been a workshops prized device for decorating stoneware jugs.

The design of the mould is one of Raeren’s most popular decorative schemes; the peasants dance. An intricate frieze depicting a parade of dancing revellers, accompanied by a lyrical inscription.

The mould its self is a wonderful piece of craftsmanship, but also an evocative insight into the process of decorative stoneware of the sixteenth century.

Picture two illustrates a comparable complete Raeren stoneware ‘peasants dance’ jug; decorated, glazed, and fired.