Museum staff offer special tour to mystery boy who accidentally smashed 221-year-old jug

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Staff appeal to public to help find contact for boy who smashed jug into dozens of pieces

A young boy who was upset at having apparently destroyed a 221-year-old jug at Christchurch Mansion last summer is being invited back by curators who are keen to introduce him to the restored treasure.

Staff are appealing to the public to help contact the family of their young visitor, who they believe was four or five years old when he accidentally knocked the Puzzle Jug from a window ledge, crashing into 65 pieces.

Carrie Willis, a duty officer at the mansion studying as a conservation technician, meticulously pieced the 18th century delft piece, which has three spouts challenging holders to guess which outlet the water will pour from, back together.

"We want to reassure the little lad that all is well,” says a council spokesman.

“We would like to invite him and his family back to have a special tour and see the magically-mended jug.

“We don’t know if the boy is local or if he was a visitor to the area. If one of his relatives is reading this we would like them to get in touch.”

The restoration of the jug, which is currently on display as part of an exhibition in the Ipswich Art School Gallery, was overseen by resident expert Bob Entwistle.

• Anyone with information can telephone 01473 43203501473 432035.

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Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/art/ceramics-and-craft/art531052-museum-staff-offer-special-tour-to-mystery-boy-who-accidentally-smashed-221-year-old-jug