ANTIQUE SILVER WATER JUGS
Antique Silver water jugs Description:
A receptacle for holding and serving water at the table.
Antique Silver water jugs History:
The concept of serving water during a meal at the table was much more prevalent on mainland continental Europe and North America. Therefore British hallmarked silver water jugs are quite rare and not to be confused with Beer / Cider jugs. Many 20th century water jugs can be found, but the vast majority of silver water jugs are of North American or Continental origin. Any British jugs were normally used for serving beer and were made in low numbers throughout the Georgian and Victorian periods.
Antique Silver water jugs Design:
Most water jugs from the 20th century are fairly plain with round baluster bodies, scroll handles, and sitting on pedestal feet. But heavily chased and engraved examples have been seen from the Victorian period. There are quite allot of panelled examples from North America dating from the 1920/30s. A few 20th century British hallmarked examples were designed to replicate the Georgian Beer jugs found in the 18th century with plain round baluster bodies and sparrow-beak spouts.
Antique Silver water jugs Collectors Note:
As mentioned above, British hallmarked silver water jugs are rare and not to be confused with Beer jugs or Wine Ewers. Georgian Beer jugs are very sought after and command high prices, as do Victorian wine ewers in good condition. Most water jugs will be 20th century and made either in North America or continental Europe, and are not that expensive because of the huge number of replicas made. You may also be interested in Antique Silver Wine Ewers.