Antique Victorian Plate Claret Jug

• Sheffield, circa 1880
• Dimensions: 8 3/4 inches height, 6 1/2 inches from handle to spout

Claret is a traditional British name for red wine from the Bordeaux region of France. The name ‘claret jug’ is synonymous for all vessels used for serving wine. From about 1780 to 1820, the fashion was to serve claret in a solid silver claret jug. The problem with this was that the contents within the claret jug were fully hidden. In order to rectify this problem, the use of glass and silver claret jugs in England, began to be made around 1830. This was done so that people would know and were able to see the contents within the Jug. Therefore, by the mid to late nineteenth century, Claret Jugs became quite popular and fashionable.

Antique Victorian Plate Claret Jugs were produced in a huge variety of styles. These range from the very plain to the fantastically exotic and were made in both silver and in silver plate and glass. They were an integral part of the Victorian table both as a practical item and a decorative one. Usually sold as an individual item, they can sometimes be found in pairs as well.

A charming and very attractive Antique Victorian Plate Claret Jug. With a plain simple silver plate mount, the body of this Antique Victorian Plate Claret Jug is quite elaborate. It has an ornamentation design with fluting and diamond cutting. The contrast between the simple and the elaborate glass design makes this Claret Jug very attractive and thus popular as well.