Made to order witch bottle pendant

Made to order:

Please allow up to 4-5 weeks weeks for this piece to be made and shipped, this gives me the time to individually cast your pendant in recycled sterling silver and get it fully hallmarked by the Sheffield Assay Office. Pendant only, silver chains and cord necklaces are available to purchase separately, find the listing in the pendant category. Each cast is completely unique, no two are exactly the same. The finish is oxidised to give depth and contrast.

Measures 3.8cm tall including the bail and 2.4cm at the widest point. Bail has a 4mm opening for a chain. Weighs 7-10g.

Manufactured in Germany from the 16th–18th century these bearded man jugs were very popular around Europe and a great find for mudlarkers today in Britain. The bearded face on the jugs represented a wild man popular in European myths of the period and are called Bellarmine jugs because of their association with the Catholic cardinal, Roberto Bellarmino (1542–1621 AD). He wanted to ban alcohol so to mock him Protestant Germans drank ale and wine from these jugs which they nicknamed “Bellarmines” because the bearded man on them had an uncanny resemblance to Roberto Bellarmino who had a flowing beard.

These jugs were commonly used as ‘witch bottles’ in the 17th century because of their human-like shape and often frightening faces. They would be filled with various objects and sealed, said to protect their owners from dark magic. The jugs were also used by witches for use as spirit houses and hexing bottles, they’ve been found built into walls and hidden around houses.

I’ve been collecting fragments of these beautiful jugs found around Britain. The last photo shows my favourite bearded face piece that dates from the 16th century. One day I’d love to have a complete jug but for now I’ve created my own version in silver. Hand carved from wax and sand cast, each one is individual with aged detail to make it look like a found relic.

Postage is Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed in the UK to make sure your jewellery reaches you safely and is covered if anything were to happen, no other postage option covers jewellery unfortunately. I've added new countries I can now ship to, I will always send to other countries tracked and signed for, customers must be made aware that all customs charges will be the customers responsibility to pay and are out of my control. Thank you. 🌿