{"product_id":"antique-german-cow-monk-figural-creamer-jug-rudolstadt-style","title":"Antique German Cow Monk Figural Creamer Jug – Rudolstadt Style","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"141\" data-end=\"252\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eA wonderfully unusual \u003cstrong data-start=\"163\" data-end=\"197\"\u003eantique German figural creamer\u003c\/strong\u003e, modelled as a cow or bull dressed as a monk or friar.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"254\" data-end=\"484\"\u003eFinished in a warm ivory\/cream glaze, the piece has a wonderfully eccentric anthropomorphic design. The animal's \u003cstrong data-start=\"367\" data-end=\"400\"\u003emouth forms the pouring spout\u003c\/strong\u003e, while the open top allows the jug to be filled and a loop handle sits to the rear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"486\" data-end=\"671\"\u003eLook closely and one of its best details appears: a set of \u003cstrong data-start=\"545\" data-end=\"601\"\u003epainted keys hanging on the figure's right-hand side\u003c\/strong\u003e, an attribute traditionally associated with the monk\/friar character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"673\" data-end=\"801\"\u003eThe softly moulded decoration and slightly irregular glaze give this example considerably more charm than a modern reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"1134\"\u003eSimilar \u003cstrong data-start=\"811\" data-end=\"848\"\u003e“monk cow” creamers carrying keys\u003c\/strong\u003e have been documented by specialist cow-creamer collectors. The collector describes examples as unmarked and believes they were probably produced in \u003cstrong data-start=\"997\" data-end=\"1008\"\u003eGermany\u003c\/strong\u003e, likely within the wider Rudolstadt\/Thuringia tradition of whimsical figural porcelain. \u003cspan class=\"contents\" data-content-reference-start=\"1097\" data-content-reference-end=\"1116\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1136\" data-end=\"1481\"\u003eThese pieces are frequently attributed by sellers to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1189\" data-end=\"1208\"\u003eSchäfer \u0026amp; Vater\u003c\/strong\u003e, and an extremely similar small monk cow is currently marketed under that name. However, specialist research specifically questions that attribution because the body, glaze and modelling differ from typical Schäfer \u0026amp; Vater production. \u003cspan class=\"contents\" data-content-reference-start=\"1426\" data-content-reference-end=\"1458\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1483\" data-end=\"1618\"\u003eFor that reason, Katie's Vintage Corner is selling this example as \u003cstrong data-start=\"1550\" data-end=\"1617\"\u003eGerman\/Rudolstadt-type rather than definitively Schäfer \u0026amp; Vater\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1620\" data-end=\"1967\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1620\" data-end=\"1629\"\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Figural creamer \/ milk jug\u003cbr data-start=\"1656\" data-end=\"1659\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1659\" data-end=\"1671\"\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cow or bull dressed as a monk\/friar\u003cbr data-start=\"1707\" data-end=\"1710\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1710\" data-end=\"1721\"\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Germany, attributed\u003cbr data-start=\"1741\" data-end=\"1744\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1744\" data-end=\"1761\"\u003eRegion\/style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rudolstadt \/ Thuringia type\u003cbr data-start=\"1789\" data-end=\"1792\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1792\" data-end=\"1805\"\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glazed ceramic \/ porcelain\u003cbr data-start=\"1832\" data-end=\"1835\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1835\" data-end=\"1846\"\u003eColour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cream \/ ivory\u003cbr data-start=\"1860\" data-end=\"1863\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1863\" data-end=\"1878\"\u003eDecoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Painted key detail\u003cbr data-start=\"1897\" data-end=\"1900\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1900\" data-end=\"1910\"\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unidentified\u003cbr data-start=\"1923\" data-end=\"1926\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1926\" data-end=\"1937\"\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early 20th century attributed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1uef3h1\" dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1969\" data-end=\"1982\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1984\" data-end=\"2139\"\u003eGood antique pre-owned condition with \u003cstrong data-start=\"2022\" data-end=\"2115\"\u003eage-related marks, glaze imperfections, discolouration and wear to the painted decoration\u003c\/strong\u003e, particularly the keys.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2141\" data-end=\"2276\"\u003eNo attempt has been made to disguise these signs of age. Please examine all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"German","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55170785149271,"sku":null,"price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0848\/2521\/1223\/files\/ChatGPTImageSep26_2026_03_45_04PM.png?v=1790434027","url":"https:\/\/katiesvintagecorner.com\/products\/antique-german-cow-monk-figural-creamer-jug-rudolstadt-style","provider":"KatiesVintageCorner","version":"1.0","type":"link"}