Victorian Sterling Silver Jug in The Armada Style

About the Item

A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver Armada jug; part of our wine and drinks related silverware collection This magnificent antique Victorian English sterling silver Armada jug has an elongated pear-shaped form onto a circular pedestal foot. The cylindrical neck of the silver claret jug is embellished with exceptional cast and chased floral and scrolling foliate decoration, all on a matte background. The underside of the pouring lip bears an exceptional shield shaped cartouche displaying a dove with wings extended holding in the claw a branch; all surmounted with a scrolling leaf mantling. The knopped neck is further ornamented with a volute scrolling border flanked with plain bands, to a swept portion encircled with pensile bud designs. The decoration to the body incorporates two large scrolling leaf bordered vacant cartouches, each surmounted with a coronet design embellished with floral ornamentation. Each cartouche is further embellished with a chased figural mask design to the nadir, flanked with large floral motifs. Either side of each cartouche is embellished with an exceptional cast and applied three-dimensional winged mermaid and mermen, gesturing towards the aforementioned coronet. The decoration to the body is further embellished with large scrolling leaf and floral sprays incorporating a cast and applied protruding leopard's head to the anterior portion. This magnificent London silver claret jug retains the original hinged cover, ornamented with chased scrolling leaf decoration and surmounted with an impressive cast and applied opposing scrolling loop finial. This exceptional antique Victorian silver jug is fitted with a cast sterling silver scrolling handle embellished with further foliate decoration to the handpiece. The handle incorporates a lever function to the interior of the handpiece; once depressed this opens/elevates the cover. The domed circular pedestal foot is embellished with alternating chased arch decoration incorporating further floral and foliate designs on a matte background. This magnificent Victorian silver jug was crafted by the renowned London silversmiths Walter & John Barnard. This magnificent jug is the finest of its type you could hope to acquire. Condition This antique London silver claret jug is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The cast and chased decoration is all very sharp and the bright cut engraved crest is very crisp. Full hallmarks struck to the surface of the jug, in addition to part hallmarks to the interior of the cover and handle mechanism are all very clear; the hallmarks are struck deeply due to the exceptional gauge of silver. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this example of antique silverware. Dimensions Length from back of handle to tip of lip 18.5cm/7.28' Width 15.7cm/6.18' Height 36.3cm/14.29' Weight 40.7 troy ounces/1267.2g Date: 1890 Origin: London, England SKU: C8423

Dimensions:

Height: 14.29 in (36.3 cm)Diameter: 7.28 in (18.5 cm)

Style:

Victorian (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Sterling Silver

Place of Origin:

United Kingdom

Period:

1890-1899

Date of Manufacture:

1890