Acid Etched Glass & Sterling Silver Gilt Claret Jug – Antique Victorian | 1875

A magnificent, fine & impressive antique Victorian English acid etched glass & sterling silver gilt claret jug; an addition to our wine & drinks related silverware collection This magnificent antique Victorian glass & sterling silver gilt claret jug has an ovoid ewer shaped form. The plain waisted neck is embellished with a fine & impressive cast & applied strapwork encased Bacchus mask ornamentation below the flared pouring lip. The upper shaped rim is ornamented with a chased decorated leaf border. The glass body of this antique claret jug is embellished with fine & impressive acid etched foliate, grape clusters & tendril ornamentation incorporating a central bordered vacant portion accented with mask ornamentation to the upper portion. The glass vessel is subdivided into three framed portions by fine & impressive chased husk decorated straps terminating to the upper portions with further cast & applied mask ornamentations. The upper & lower sterling silver portions of the body are embellished with fine & impressive bright cut engraved interlacing fruiting vine designs & plain scalloped rims. This magnificent jug is fitted with an exceptional, fine & impressive cast sterling silver opposing scroll handle embellished to the upper portion with a substantial figural ornament depicting Venus arching elegantly & resolutely backwards to feed cupid from a grape cluster. The lower portion of the handle is ornamented with bead decoration to an impressive chased decorated volute scrolling leaf terminal. The glass vessel is fitted to a rounded shaped receiver to a fine & impressive chased decorated lobed & ribbed knop & circular domed spreading foot. The foot is ornamented a broad band of chased diaper pattern & bead decoration incorporating three mask designs; the masks are identical to those on the straps. This impressive antique claret jug retains the original cork stopper fitted with the original cylindrical hallmarked sterling silver mount & bead decorated finial/handle. The surface of this antique claret jug & stopper retain the original gilding. This magnificent claret jug is of the highest quality & in exceptional presentation condition; this jug is one of the finest examples of its type you could hope to acquire. Condition This antique claret jug is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality & in exceptional presentation condition. The glass body is in perfect condition. The applied & chased decoration is very sharp & the bright cut engraved & acid etched decoration is very crisp. Full hallmarks struck to the surface of the upper & lower portions of the body & rim of the stopper are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this example of Victorian silverware. Dimensions Length from back of handle to tip of lip 12cm/4.7 Diameter 11cm/4.3 Diameter of foot 11.1cm/4.4 Height 40cm/15.7 Date: 1875 Origin: London, England Maker: Henry William Curry SKU: W8450 Acid Etched Glass & Sterling