September 13, 2026, through January 10, 2027
Have you ever seen a jug that looks right at you? In the exhibition BEARDED – Jugs with Faces, you’ll discover centuries-old jugs featuring striking faces. Some are smiling, while others look stern or sullen. But who is that mysterious man with the big beard? And why were these jugs made in the past? In the Finds Gallery at Museum Batavialand, you’ll discover the extraordinary stories behind these enigmatic faces.
Extraordinary treasures from shipwrecks
Bearded Man jugs were once used to store beverages and were even taken aboard ships. Some sank to the bottom of the Zuiderzee centuries ago, where archaeologists later recovered them. At BAARDEVOL, you can admire a selection of no fewer than 75 complete jugs from the maritime archaeological collection. One of the most striking finds comes from the wreck of the Queen Anne, where no fewer than thirty “bearded man” jugs were discovered.
Which “bearded man” is your favorite?
From impressive mustaches to gruff expressions: no two bearded men are alike! With the interactive face book, you can compare the different faces for yourself. Discover how the jugs were made, why almost all of them feature a man’s face, and what secrets they’ve been keeping for centuries. A surprising exhibition for young and old alike, full of history, remarkable finds, and stories.
