three handled jug

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Marcus Leaning asked

Hi why did the Potter do the thumb impressions on the base? I have seen it on lots of pots - one idea I've come across was that it was because the bottom was concave but this jug seems sit on a flat surface. Any information most gratefully received.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Hi Marcus, we do not know of any specific function or meaning; the thumb impressions seem like a nice and quite easy achievable form of decoration. Kind regards, Els

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Title	three handled jug
Material and technique	Stoneware, salt glaze
Object type	Three handled jug > Jug > Holder > Kitchen and household > Utensil
Location	This object is in storage

Dimensions	Height 20,7 cm Diameter 18,5 cm
Artists	Potter: Anoniem
Accession number	F 443 (KN&V)
Credits	Gift Coll. Van Beuningen-de Vriese, 1990
Department	Applied Arts & Design
Acquisition date	1991
Creation date	in 1500 - 1550
Collector	Collector / Van Beuningen-de Vriese
Internal exhibitions	De ontdekking van het dagelijks leven - van Bosch tot Bruegel (2015)
Research	Show research Alma
Material	Salt glaze > Glaze > Geglazuurd > Artist's material > Material > Material and technique Stoneware > Ceramics > Inorganic material > Material > Material and technique
Object	Three handled jug > Jug > Holder > Kitchen and household > Utensil
Geographical origin	Belgium > Western Europe > Europe