A finely matched pair of German stoneware jugs from the Westerwald region, each of tapering cylindrical form with angular handles and stylized geometric relief decoration in cobalt blue on a grey salt-glazed ground. The design, featuring abstracted grape and barley motifs within architectonic frames, exemplifies the fusion of traditional Westerwald craftsmanship with the Jugendstil aesthetic of the early 20th century.
Each jug has a capacity of one liter. Typical of production from this period, the pieces are unsigned, as attribution to specific makers was often based on characteristic handle profiles and design vocabulary. The sharply modeled handle and disciplined ornamentation suggest possible manufacture by Reinhold Merkelbach, a leading Westerwald workshop known for its collaborations with prominent Art Nouveau designers such as Peter Behrens and Richard Riemerschmid.
Excellent condition with light surface wear consistent with age and use; no cracks or repairs. Fine salt glaze and crisp cobalt decoration preserved.
Period: 1905–1910
Provenance: Höhr-Grenzhausen, Germany
Materials: Stoneware
Manufacturer: Possibly Reinhold Merkelbach
Dimensions: H8.7 x 5.3 in | H22 x W13.5 cm
