Puzzle jugs typically feature a taunt – challenging someone to drink from them without spilling the contents. This can be harder than it looks, as the neck of puzzle jugs contain holes! These wonderfully infuriating devices were used for tavern drinking games and hide an ingenious solution.
In this video, ceramicist Michelle Erickson recreates an 18th-century puzzle jug from our collection. From throwing stoneware clay on a potter's wheel, to achieving delicate detailing by carefully cutting out areas of wet clay, watch as Erickson recreates this intricate object.
With her puzzle jug, Erickson adds a secret hole and passageway under the handle which provides the solution – when all but one of the spouts are covered, suction is created, so only then can the person drink successfully without spilling the jug's contents.
See how more objects were made on our YouTube channel.
