Puzzle Jug
ca. 1755
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Williamsburg, United States
Puzzle jugs were one of several vessels that provided 18th century imbibers with drinking games. The trick of a puzzle jug is to drink some of the contents without spilling. It was up to the user to figure out the solution to this puzzle by discovering which holes and spouts to cover in order to allow the hollow handle to function as a siphon and draw up the liquid. This example bears a catchy verse seen on several examples and popular at the time:
“Fill me with Ale Wine or Water
Any of the three it makes no matter
And drink me dry if You be willing
In doing so You’l win a Shilling”
Learn more at the link below.
- Title: Puzzle Jug
- Date Created: ca. 1755
- Location Created: England, Liverpool
- Physical Dimensions: H: 7 5/8"; W: 6 5/8" (with handle); W: 5 5/8" (without handle); D: 3" (footring).
- Type: Ceramics
- Rights: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Museum Purchase.
- External Link: Learn more about this object at Colonial Williamsburg's emuseum
- Medium: Tin-glazed earthenware (delft / delftware)
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