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.

1748
Thomas Whipham
9095 George II Silver Beer Jug
£5,750

A handsome antique sterling silver jug of baluster shape on a plain circular cast foot. Sparrow beak lip. Contains 1100 ml. Weight 679 grams, 21.8 troy ounces. Height 20 cm. Spread 16.5 cm. Diameter 8 cm. London 1748. Makers mark Thomas Whipham.
1749
Richard Gurney And Thomas Cooke
10157 George II Antique Silver Beer Jug
£5,950

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.
1779
Robert Hennell I
9760 George III Antique Silver Jug
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A handsome antique sterling silver beer jug (or water jug) of baluster shape with a hinged cover and bead borders. Excellent heavy gauge and patina. Contains 686 ml. Weight 679 grams, 22 troy ounces. Height 22.5cm (to top of finial). Spread 15cm. London 1779. Maker Robert Hennell I.
1828
Mary Ann & Charles Reilly
8702 Antique Silver Flask
£2,750

A superb antique sterling silver flask with a fascinating history. Graceful plain form and super large size. Inscribed to the front with a hand engraved lion crest and the name “John Bayley Esq” and to the reverse “Nymph”, the name of Bayley’s* luxury sailing ship. The cap unscrews and the top band is gold plated. Contains a hefty 950 ml. Weight 500 grams, 16 troy ounces. Height 21.5cm. Base 7.2 x 5.4cm. London 1828. Maker Mary Ann & Charles Reilly.
1874
Hunt & Roskell
8525 Antique Silver Wine Jug
£975

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).
1875 - 1876
Martin Hall and Co
10129 Antique Silver Ewer and Basin
£8,950

A very rare and prestigious item. This magnificent gilt silver armada jug and stand was presented in honour of the Guildhall banquet for the Prince and Princess of Wales’s return from India. The tall jug, of vase shape form, has bands of classical motifs and ribbing, the centre with deep relief swags of ribbons and fruit with centre medallions. This superb decoration is repeated on the matching base which has a raised central dome decorated with the Prince of Wales feathers. The front of the basin has a large presentation inscription dated 1876. Weight – ewer 908 grams, basin 1258 grams, total 2166 grams, 69.6 troy ounces. Jug – height36cm, spread 14cm. Basin diameter 39.5cm. London 1875/6. Maker Martin Hall.
Circa 1880

10118 French Antique Silver Claret Jugs
£4,500

A magnificent set of four 19th century cut crystal claret jugs with decorative silver mounts and hinged lids. Fantastic quality. The interior silver has bright original gilding while the exterior bears faint, gilt traces. The crystal body is cut with ribbons and harebell swags, the lower body and base with cut ribbing. Each contains 750 ml. Height 23.8cm. Spread 15.6cm. French silver marks. Circa 1880. High grade silver. 950/1000.
1881
Edward Barnard & Sons
9377 Victorian Silver Wine Jug
£1,650

A fine antique sterling silver wine ewer of tall elegant vase form standing on a ribbed pedestal foot. The body is finely engraved with bands of leaves and scrolls. A very nice feature is the little model bird at the base of the handle. The lid and interior of the jug is gilded and has a free form pouring mechanism. Weight 834 grams, 26.8 troy ounces. Contains 1400 ml. Height 35.3 cms (top of handle). Spread 14 cms. London 1881. Maker W & J Barnard.
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

9722 Antique German Silver Jug – Napoleon
£5,450

A massive novelty silver jug in the form of Napoleon Bonaparte, the iconic French statesman and military leader. Suitable for wine, beer and water. Superb bright gilt finish and excellent quality modelling and chased detail. Napoleon is wearing full dress regalia, with epaulettes and the trademark bicorne hat, he is sitting on a military drum. Contains 1700 ml. Weight 996 grams, 32 troy ounces. Height 31.5cm. Spread 18.5cm. Diameter of drum 10cm. Stamped underneath with German silver marks (crown and moon) and the silver grade 800*. Maker “SB” crowned. Circa 1890.
Circa 1890
Victor Boivin
9825 French Silver Claret Jugs
£8,950

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.
1899
Walter And Charles Sissons
9480 Antique Silver Claret Jug
£1,250

A handsome Victorian sterling silver mounted wine jug with a fine quality cut crystal body. The silver has foliate scroll decoration and a pierced silver thumbpiece. Contains 1300ml. Height 24cm/26.8cm to top of thumbpiece. Spread 16cm. Sheffield 1899. Maker Walter and Charles Sissons.
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
£7,950

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.