Siegburg Armorial Schnelle 1574
16th century Siegburg Stoneware Schnelle dated 1574 with applied Coat of Arms and reliefs of David, Venus and Lot.
The fine white-firing clay available to Siegburg potters was ideal to create elaborate figurative relief ornaments. Therefore Siegburg became world famous in the mid 16th century when it took over the lead in stoneware production from Cologne.
The reliefs in the early 16th century were inspired by the visual culture of the German (Northern) Renaissance based on contemporaneous engravings and woodcuts. The creation of molded reliefs was technically demanding and therefore in some cases signed by the skilled sculptor. In this case LW for Laurenz Wolter.
In the middle of the 16th century, when Cologne potters came to Siegburg, slender, tall conical vessels, known as ‘Schnellen’, were created. The form perfect for applications reminiscent of mythology and the Bible.
Relief carvings of lions are often symbolic in heraldry, representing strength and courage. The heraldic helmet above the shield is further evidence belonging to noble family
In this case the coat of arms with the lion could refer to “Herzöge von Berg”
Dukes of Berg (refering to the lion of the Dukes of Limburg).
Wilhelm V. Duke of Juelich Cleve and Berg (1516 – 1592) – see details below
Source for the heraldry
Heraldry
Wilhelm der Reiche,
engraving by Heinrich Aldegrever, 1540
Wilhelm V. Duke of Julich, Cleve and Berg
This file was donated to Wikimedia Commons as part of the partner project with the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Source for the heraldry
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_(J%C3%BClich-Kleve-Berg)
Museum Reference V+A London
Tankard depicting Venus, David and Lot
Made by monogrammist „L.W.“, Siegburg, Germany about 1574
Stoneware with applied moulded decoration
Gallery label
(16/07/2008)
Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum London
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O159797/tankard-unknown/#object-details
Museum Reference Metropolitan Museum New York
Title: Tankard (Schnelle) with The Last Judgment
Maker: F. Trac (active 1559–68)
Date: 16th century
Culture: German, Siegburg
Medium: White stoneware, pewter
Dimensions: Height: 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm)
Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1927
Object Number: 27.224.4
Museum Reference Philadelphia Museum of Art
Tankard with the Judgment of Solomon, David with the Head of Goliath, and Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Date: 1570s-1580s
Artist: Relief decoration from molds by Frans Trac (German (active Siegburg), active 1559–1568)
Stoneware with traces of salt glaze
Dimensions: 9 3/4 × 4 3/4 × 3 13/16 inches (24.8 × 12.1 × 9.7 cm)
Geography: Made in Siegburg, Germany,
Literature
Hinton, J. (2012). The Art of German Stoneware, 1300-1900: From the Charles W. Nichols Collection and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Philadelphia museum of art.
