Glass and Sterling Silver Mounted Claret Jug - Antique Victorian (1880)

Description

This exceptional antique Victorian glass and sterling silver mounted claret jug has a tapering cylindrical bulbous form.

The cylindrical portion of the glass body is fitted with the original hallmarked sterling silver mount embellished with chased fruit and leaf ornamentation incorporating a scroll bordered applied grotesque mask to either side.

The hallmarked hinged domed cover is encircled with further fruit and foliate decoration accented with a Roman leaf decorated border to the rim.

The cover is surmounted with an impressive cast sterling silver finial modelled in the form of a lion rampant holding a vacant shield shaped cartouche.

This Victorian claret jug has a sterling silver naturalistic handle in the form of a branch incorporating a grotesque mask to the lower terminal in junction with the lower mount.

This plain lower mount features a hinge to the posterior surface beneath the mask to the handle; this decorative hinge was originally used in the crafting process.

The plain spout of this impressive silver and glass claret jug is embellished with further mask ornamentation to the nadir, below undulating leaf textures.