Art Collections Online

This jug’s abstract geometric pattern is typical of Jugendstil, the German equivalent of the Art Nouveau style. The jug was possibly made by being thrown inside a mould carved with the design. It may originally have had a pewter lid. In the late nineteenth century Gerz was one of several Westerwald potteries producing stonewares in the German Renaissance style. The Paris Centennial Exhibition of 1900 made it clear that their products were out of date. They engaged leading avant-garde architect-designers like Peter Behrens (1868-1940), who injected a modern spirit into their designs. In addition to ceramics, Behrens designed metalwork, electrical appliances and graphics.