ITEM: Jug
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Bronze Age
PERIOD: 2nd millenium B.C
DIMENSIONS: 120 mm x 78 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Jerusalem private collection, acquired between 1975 – 1990.

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Bronze Age jugs were essential in daily life across the ancient world, particularly in regions like the Aegean, the Near East, and Europe. These vessels were primarily functional, used to store, pour, and transport liquids such as water, oil, wine, and other consumables. Characterized by a range of shapes, from globular bodies with narrow necks to elongated forms with wide mouths, Bronze Age jugs reveal a remarkable diversity that reflects both regional styles and the practical needs of different cultures. The evolution of their designs across the Bronze Age, from roughly 3300 to 1200 BCE, offers insight into technological advances in pottery, as well as the expanding trade networks that spread pottery styles and innovations across cultures.

The materials and techniques used in crafting Bronze Age jugs reflect the advancements of the time. Potters utilized local clays, which they fired in increasingly sophisticated kilns, producing durable ceramics that could withstand daily use and transport. Many jugs were burnished or decorated with simple geometric patterns, indicating an aesthetic component beyond functionality. In the Aegean and Minoan cultures, for instance, jugs were often decorated with marine motifs, spiral designs, and plant patterns, reflecting an appreciation of natural surroundings. In the Levant and Egypt, jugs might be adorned with incised patterns or painted bands. These stylistic differences, along with variations in shape and form, help archaeologists trace cultural interactions and trade routes, as similar jug types appear across different Bronze Age societies.

Bronze Age jugs also held a significant role in ritual and burial practices, indicating their cultural and symbolic value. In many archaeological sites, jugs have been found in tombs, often alongside other grave goods, suggesting that they held meaning beyond everyday usage.