19th Century Claret Jug Conical and Panel Cut
£165
An example of high Victorian taste dating to around 1880, this silver plate and crystal claret jug features many of the late 19th century design styles, there is aesthetic movement, Georgian/ early Victorian influences as well as the use of decorative engraving collar and lid.
The mask head spout doesn't have the usual grape adornment one would expect with a Bacchus figure, but is very much in the stylistic vein of the god of wine. The collar is chased with an oval cartouche and foliate garland, the design echoed on the lid.
The handle is very unusual, it is an open rail decreasing in distance between the two, a beaded top rail and an insert of graduated 'bullseye' roundels., the collar end has more traditional curls and shell motif. For the lower end of the handle there is a loose fit band around the body of the decanter which is fixed to the handle terminal affording a fully integrated and secure form to the handle and support without having to fix anything to the glass.
The body is 19th century crystal, it has that distinctive colour of old manufactured glass whilst being bright. The cut is simple, being a full height facet, flat cut and polished with a curved top at the shoulder of the bottle.
Size: 11 1/2 inches high , across the base 3 3/4 inches (unpacked weight 959 gms)
Condition: This is in what we classify as good condition, it has a couple of points to note, the base has two nicks to the glass, one to the underside and one to the lower edge of the face at the base. The latter is a surface sliver and could be polished out, the underside is minor and would easily be polished out. We haven't restored this piece as neither flaw affects the item , it is a great and unusual jug and we have priced this bearing in mind the condition.