Krüg

German, Frankfurt

Not on view

Krüge were used to serve wine and were filled directly from the barrel or from a large container standing in a cistern of cool water, as is frequently shown in genre paintings. This krüg probably belonged to an Augustinian monastery near Frankfurt. The painted decoration refers to a story about Saint Augustine. Once, while walking beside the sea, wrestling with the mystery of the Trinity, the saint came upon a child spooning water into a bucket. When told it is impossible to convey all the sea into the bucket, the child responded that it is equally impossible to comprehend the Trinity.

Krüg, Faience (tin-glazed earthenware); silver gilt, German, Frankfurt

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