A Hanau faience pewter-mounted Jug, circa 1690-1700, the mounts mid 18th century

painted in soft enamels by Wolfgang Rößler, signed with monogram, with a large vignette of a peasant on a path beside a river, a town on the opposite bank, a range of blue mountains in the background, within a typically bold border of flowering roses, the handle with purple WR monogram at the base and a range of colour-coded purple patches beneath the mounts, the pewter cover with touchmarks for Regensburg, Friedrich Christian Weschke (1755-1788),

The Collection of Ulrich Seiler of Cologne, Weinműller Munich, 14th March 1973, lot 1.

Ulrich Pietsch, Preziosen, einer süddeutschen Kunstsammlung, 2001, pp. 88-89

Minute wear to edges, less than is normal with faience. A firing crack on the foot has perhaps extended to the body.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A Nűrnberg silver-gilt mounted tankard painted with a similar scene by Wolfgang Rößler from the collection of Otto Riesebieter is illustrated by Gustav E. Pazaurek, Deutsche Fayence und Porzellan Hausmaler, vol. 1, 1925, plate 5; while a very similar pear-shaped jug was sold at Fischer of Heilbronn, 8th March 2003, lot 4.

The band of colour trials on the handle is intriguing and may be unique; it was presumably entirely hidden by the original mounts. These experiments were usually made on purpose-made pieces, perhaps something like a tile or a small bowl, and not intended for sale; why Rößler should try them on an expensive piece intended for sale is a mystery.