'Litron' lidded jug

From the collection of Paul Van Eck

1 litron stoneware jug

1 litron stoneware jug

1 litron stoneware jug

1 litron stoneware jug

1 litron stoneware jug

1 litron stoneware jug

1 litron stoneware jug

1 litron stoneware jug

This stoneware jug has a capacity of 1 liter. On the front it is marked "Litron". The word litron is derived from a medieval French measure. Originally a litron was a capacity of circa 3/4 liter. But over time it became equivalent to 1 liter.
Here is a link to a bit more information on "litron": [link]

In around 1793 the French National Assembly decided that the word litron was not to be used anymore, in favor of the word liter. In Belgium however the word litron was in use a bit longer.

The type of jug we see here is thought to have been produced for the "Low Countries", which nowadays are Belgium and the Netherlands. I believe this jug was produced in one of the pottery making regions in Belgium.

It is rare to find a jug of this type with the "litron" capacity marking. Extra nice is that the original pewter 'peg' is still intact.

View the collection of Paul Van Eck