Sterling Silver and Glass Claret Jug - Antique Victorian (1897)

Description

This magnificent antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass Cellini style claret jug has a ewer shaped form onto a circular pedestal foot.

The waisted neck of this Victorian claret jug is embellished with exceptional chased foliate decoration accented scrolling strapwork and incorporating chased decorated figural masks, all on a matte background; there is a large secondary mask to the underside of the pouring lip.

The neck terminates with a plain, knopped waisted portion to a broad band of six chased alternating grotesque figural medallions accented with scrolling leaf decoration and segmented with plain convex fluted designs.

The lower portion of the body is further embellished with a segmented band incorporating chased decorated busts accented with foliate designs.

The magnificent central glass portion of the jug is ornamented with etched strapwork designs encompassing mask and thistle designs, all flanked with scrolling decoration.

The decoration to the etched glass body incorporates suspended floral festoons and supported grazing livestock.

This impressive example of Victorian silverware is fitted with a domed hinged hallmarked cover, embellished with large scrolling leaf designs on a matte background and surmounted with an exceptional cast sterling silver finial.

This fine antique claret jug is fitted with an imposing cast sterling silver S scroll handle embellished with a figurehead ornament to the upper portion in addition to strapwork and fluted designs to the handpiece.

The knopped circular pedestal foot is embellished with a band of chased decoration reflecting a simplified style to the upper portion of the body, all above a foliate festoon accented with further mask designs.

The interior of this magnificent example of antique Victorian glassware retains the original gilding.

Cellini style jugs combining solid silver and glass components are rare to the market; this piece is the finest example of its type you could hope to acquire.

Read a brief history of silver claret jugs