Jugs, Ewers & Decanters

Browse our collection of antique silver Jugs, Ewers and Drinks Sets dating from the 17th century.

Beer and Water Jugs
Claret Jugs
Wine Jugs and Ewers
Drinks and Decanter Sets

The earliest form of silver flagon used for serving wine, beer and other cold drinks dates from the late 16th century, and the handsome baluster jugs followed shortly after in circa 1720.

Silver wine jugs with hinged lids were introduced in the late 18th century.

In the late 1800s stylish crystal Decanters with silver mounts became popular, sometimes two or three decanters would be fitted into a handsome wooden or silver Tantalus holder and complete Drinks sets would incorporate a silver tray, jug and matching goblets.

Jugs, Ewers & Decanters

Browse our collection of antique silver Jugs, Ewers and Drinks Sets dating from the 17th century.

Beer and Water Jugs
Claret Jugs
Wine Jugs and Ewers
Drinks and Decanter Sets

The earliest form of silver flagon used for serving wine, beer and other cold drinks dates from the late 16th century, and the handsome baluster jugs followed shortly after in circa 1720.

Silver wine jugs with hinged lids were introduced in the late 18th century.

1671

10361 17th Century Italian Antique Silver Ewer
£12,500

A large and imposing antique silver jug with an applied spout, harp shaped handle, on a spreading foot. Excellent plain style with traces of the original hand beaten finish. Very good weight and thick gauge silver. To the front is a hand engraved armorial with a coronet and motto “Micat Inter Omnia”, all within a band of tied plumage. This early jug shape was replaced in the 1680’s by the helmet shaped ewer. Contains 1050ml. Weight 812g, 26.1 troy oz. Height 22cm (to top of handle), 18.7cm (top rim). Spread 20.2cm. Top diameter 11.4cm. Italian marks for Rome, 1671.
1746 - 1747
Jacques-Joseph Giraud
10440 French Antique Silver Ewer and Basin
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An excellent quality 18th century silver jug and basin of plain design with gadroon borders. Heavy gauge silver and fine workmanship. The baluster form ewer has a curved hinged lid with flower bud leaf finial; the lower body with shaped panels on a stippled background. The oval basin has a simple, segmented undulating form. Hand engraved to both pieces is a family coat of arms with a coronet above and motto “Pax Mea Ex Me In Deo Spe” below. Ewer weight 926g, 29.77 troy oz. Ewer height 25cm, 9.8ins, spread 17cm, 6.7ins. Basin weight 920g, 29.5 troy oz. Basin height 4.5cm, 1.7ins, top – 36cmx24cm, 14.1insx9.6ins. Marseille, France 1746/7. Maker Jacques-Joseph Giraud and Antoine Giraud.
1749
Richard Gurney And Thomas Cooke
10157 George II Antique Silver Beer Jug
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A classic antique silver jug of baluster form on a plain circular cast foot, with a sparrow beak spout and hand engraved crest. An attractive feature is the carved wooden handle with the lower socket in the form of a bird. Large size, heavy gauge silver and excellent patina. Useful for serving both cold and hot drinks. Contains 1700 ml. Weight (including wooden handle) 1273 grams, 40.9 troy ounces. Height 23.7cm (to top of thumbpiece). Spread 19.6cm. Diameter 9.5 cm. London 1749. Maker Richard Gurney & Thomas Cook. Sterling silver.
1766
Thomas Whipham & William Williams
10300 George III Antique Silver Beer Jug
£5,950

An impressive antique silver jug of baluster form on a broad gadrooned foot. Good plain style and heavy gauge silver. To the front is an expansive hand engraved cartouche containing a lion armorial with motto and crest. The acanthus leaf mounted scroll handle has a beaded spine and is hand engraved with the initial “A”. The spout also has beaded spine below. Large capacity. Contains 1500 ml. Weight 959 grams, 30.8 troy ounces. Height 23 cm. Spread 22 cm. Diameter 9.8cm (top), 9.8cm (base). London 1766. Maker Thomas Whipham & William Williams.
1786
Peter Podio and Arthur Peterson
10462 George III Antique Silver Wine Ewer
£1,150

A very elegant silver wine jug in the neo classical style typical of the late 18th century. It has a tall shapely form on a pedestal foot and a curved wooden handle with discreetly decorated end mounts. The ribbed decoration is known as “bat wing ornament”. Hand engraved to the front is an oval coat of arms with the motto “Fais Tu Mieux”. Weight 754g, 24.2 troy oz. Height 31cm, 12.2ins. Spread 15cm, 5.9ins. London 1786. Maker Abraham Peterson and Peter Podio. Sterling silver.
1874
Hunt & Roskell
8525 Antique Silver Wine Jug
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A fine antique sterling silver wine ewer of tall shapely vase form having a curved silver handle with acanthus leaf terminal. Plain style and elegant classical shape. Excellent quality and good gauge silver as you’d expect from this prestigious firm of silversmiths, previously known as Storr & Mortimer, the famous Paul Storr partnership. Gilt interior. Contains 1350 ml. Weight 810 grams, 25.1 troy ounces. Height 29.5 cms. Spread 12 cms. London 1874. Maker Hunt & Roskell (late Storr & Mortimer).
1890

7478 Victorian Silver Plate and Crystal Drinks Set
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A delightful antique after dinner drinks set consisting of a dozen little cut crystal liqueur glasses with a matching pair of small decanters. All sitting on the original arts and crafts style silver plated tray with carrying handles. Tray spread 36 cms, length 27 cms, width 19 cms. Decanters each contain 150 ml, height 20 cms,. Glasses height 5.5 cms. Circa 1890.
Circa 1890
Victor Boivin
9825 French Silver Claret Jugs
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A fantastic quality pair of French silver mounted glass claret jugs in the style of Victor Boivin, a leading French 19th century silversmith. Of globular form, on a circular foot, the glass is encased with a fine quality decoration of pierced silver flowers, leaves, scrolls and other motifs. Original gilt to the inside of the lid and neck. Each contains 800 ml. Height 32cm. Spread across the handle 15.5cm. With French silver stamps. Maker or retailer’s stamp “HTO”. Circa 1890.
Circa 1890
Gebruder Gutgesell
10140 Antique Silver Owl Decanter
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A fantastic antique coconut cup finely modelled in the Renaissance style as an owl with hinged wings and figural strapwork. The silver head, with large cut paste eyes surrounded by tuffs of feathers, is detachable and can be used as a drinking cup. The silver base is intricately modelled as a rocky outcrop mounted with applied insects and amphibians. Total weight, including coconut, 1025 grams. Height 29.5cm. Spread across the wings 19cm. Hanau, Germany. Circa 1890. Maker Gebruder Gutgesell. Silver grade 875/1000.
Circa 1900

8022 Antique Silver Plated Bottle Tantalus
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A fantastic show. A solid oak 3 bottle drinks tantalus with silver plated mounts. This unusual model has a pull out drawer at the base to access the 3 hobnail cut bottles. Height 39 cms (to top of handle) 29 cms (to top of frame). Base 39 x 13 cms. Bottle height 23 cms, base 8.75 cms Circa 1900.
1900
B Neresheimer & Sohnes
9941 Antique Silver Bear Decanter
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A splendid antique silver drinks flask in the form of a standing bear with outstretched paws. Excellent quality and heavy gauge cast silver. Very pleasing design with lifelike detail in the face and all-over chased fur. The head is removable so that the body can be used as a decanter and the head as a cup; it pours beautifully. The interior is gilded. Contains 1 litre. Weight 1407 grams, 45.2 troy ounces. Height 24.5cm. Width between the paws 13.5cm. German Hanau silver marks. Probably Neresheimer. Circa 1900.
1921
Carringtons & Co
9870 Antique Silver Wine Ewer
£3,950

A magnificent silver gilt wine jug, of good size and weight, in the Renaissance style. Perfect for serving cold drinks, wine, beer and water. Of tall, bulbous form, the jug has a slender tapering neck, a graceful shaped handle, and a lady face mask to the front. The cutwork decoration is interspersed with foliate symbols and flowerheads. Contains 1250 ml. Weight 1302 grams, 41.5 troy ounces. Height 37cm. Spread 18cm. London 1921. Maker Carrington & Co.