ANTIQUE 19thC VICTORIAN SOLID SILVER & GLASS CROCODILE CLARET JUG c.1884

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Antique 19th Century Victorian solid silver & glass crocodile shaped claret jug. The glass body is adorned with legs, and a tail, all intricately engraved with protruding scales. It is mounted with textured silver feet, and the realisticaly modeled removable head, with open jaws and teeth. The head fits over a gilt spout shaped like a tongue, which terminates with a hinged flap. These rare clart jugs were part of a broader trend in Victorian Britain, where claret jugs often featured a variety of animals, ranging from cockatoos and owls to more unusual depictions like monkeys, walruses, kangaroos, and crocodiles.

Hallmarked English Silver (925 Standard), London, year 1884 (I), Maker S.M (Sampson Mordon & Co).

Reference Number: A10302

This item is eligible for the Pushkin’s Promise scheme.

Antique 19th Century Victorian solid silver & glass crocodile shaped claret jug. The glass body is adorned with legs, and a tail, all intricately engraved with protruding scales. It is mounted with textured silver feet, and the realisticaly modeled removable head, with open jaws and teeth. The head fits over a gilt spout shaped like a tongue, which terminates with a hinged flap. These rare clart jugs were part of a broader trend in Victorian Britain, where claret jugs often featured a variety of animals, ranging from cockatoos and owls to more unusual depictions like monkeys, walruses, kangaroos, and crocodiles.

Hallmarked English Silver (925 Standard), London, year 1884 (I), Maker S.M (Sampson Mordon & Co).

Reference Number: A10302

This item is eligible for the Pushkin’s Promise scheme.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The design for this piece was registered December 28, 1882, by Walter Thornhill & Co., of 144-45 New Bond Street, London. The mark on the piece is that of Sampson Mordan & Co. The firm was supposedly founded in 1815, and was registering a patent for a propelling pencil by 1822. In 1838 they were listed as manufacturers of "Cooper's patent smelling bottles, inkstands, new fountain inkstands, toilets, etc." The manufactory was on City Road, and a retail premises was on Cheapside. John Culme notes that they "produced a large range of wares, particularly of a novelty character," and Walter Thornhill was one of a number of retailers whom they supplied.

CONDITION

In Great Condition - Wear expected with age. Please refer to photographs. 

SIZE

Height: 15 cm // 5.91 in
Width: 40 cm // 15.75 in
Depth: 16 cm // 6.30 in
Weight: 1855 g // 65.45 oz