拍品專文
Puzzle jugs were used as curiosities for entertainment, because one cannot drink from these jars normally. The spouts are connected to the body through the hollow handle. If the jug is tilted to the back and one drinks from one spout while one closes the other two, the liquid can be retrieved from the jug. Dated puzzle jugs were probably individually ordered for special occasions.
For examples of puzzle jugs with European-subject decoration see:
M.S. van Aken-Fehmers a.o., Delfts Aardewerk, Geschiedenis van een nationaal product, Volume I, Zwolle, 1999, cat. no. 105, p. 263, the jug dated 1758; D. & R. Aronson, Dutch Delftware, Amsterdam, 2005, cat. no. 43, p. 46; J. D. van Dam, Dated Dutch Delftware, Amsterdam, 1991, cat. no. 62, ill. p. 129, the jug dated 1768.
For examples of puzzle jugs with European-subject decoration see:
M.S. van Aken-Fehmers a.o., Delfts Aardewerk, Geschiedenis van een nationaal product, Volume I, Zwolle, 1999, cat. no. 105, p. 263, the jug dated 1758; D. & R. Aronson, Dutch Delftware, Amsterdam, 2005, cat. no. 43, p. 46; J. D. van Dam, Dated Dutch Delftware, Amsterdam, 1991, cat. no. 62, ill. p. 129, the jug dated 1768.