This stunning hand painted maiolica Deruta jug comes in the traditional Rooster shape, and has been hand painted in the 'Zafiro' design.  This design features a band across the lower section of the jug with a black background and various types of fruit including figs, cherries, apples, a strawberry and peaches.  Each side of the jug is different.  In this case the artist forgot to paint the usual inscription on the base of the jug, but be assured, this is an authentic hand painted Italian ceramic rooster jug!

To see the detail of the rooster jug, click on the image above to see the larger pictures which show the detail and scroll through all the images.

This Rooster Jug has a volumetric capacity of  1 litre, is 240mm high and approximately 180mm wide.

The "Rooster Pitcher" or "Rooster Jug" dates back to the early Renaissance period.  At this time, the Medici family, one of the most powerful landowning families of the time, held a feast in the village of Gallina for their peasants.  After the feast, when everyone was asleep, a rival family sent assassins to the village to kill the Medici.  However, the roosters in the yards around the village started cackling when disturbed by the assassins, waking both the Medici family and their guards.  The assassins were caught and duly executed.  The Medici family, were so grateful to the roosters for saving their lives that they commissioned local artists to create ceramic replicas of them to be used as wine pitchers.  These were then distributed to the peasants and their friends to commemorate this event and to provide for them similar good luck in times of peril and danger.

Add this beautiful hand painted Italian Rooster Jug from Deruta in Umbria to your shopping cart now!