I know I often say this about various items I buy.....but the best 17thc Bellarmine I have bought in 30 years of dealing...it stands an impressive 15.50" inches high ( 39.4cms ) with a diameter of 10.00" inches...made from stoneware with a desirable "tiger glaze" and is in pristine condition...remarkable when you consider its age..! These collectable items were used to export wine to Europe, England and many more countries in the 17thc from Rhenish in Germany and usually when the wine was drunk and the bellarmine emptied it would have been broken up or thrown in the river....you do find a lot of broken bellarmine shards on the Thames foreshore....
“
the bellarmine is in original condition with no restoration and is decorated with a moulded bearded mask above an interesting decorative motif.
Mark Seabrook Antiques
....a wonderful item to own albeit for a short time...!
German. C1640 -50.