Antique Silver-Plated Hot-Water Jug | Engraved Scrollwork | Late 19th Century
A small jug kept hot water close at hand, so the pot could be topped up and the conversation carry on.
Lidded jugs of hot water were often set beside the teapot on Victorian tea tables, for topping up the pot or weakening a strong brew. Smaller jugs of this kind may also have served hot milk. Silver plate brought such pieces within reach of many households, decorated in the same styles as solid silver.
The jug has a tapering body with beaded borders at the rim and foot, and a pinched pouring lip with a textured surface and a beaded drop beneath. The flat hinged lid rises to a turned, beaded finial, and the scroll handle curves from the hinge to the lower body. Each side is engraved with foliate scrollwork framing a vacant oval cartouche. It is unmarked.
Excellent condition, with no dents and no plating loss. The hinge is firm and the lid closes securely. There is spotting to the plate on the inside base, and a small mark in the plating low on the body near the lip.
Key Details
Maker: unidentified (unmarked)
Date: late 19th century (attributed by style)
Material: silver plate
Form: lidded hot-water jug with pouring lip, hinged lid and scroll handle; lid finial secured underneath with a wing nut
Decoration: engraved foliate scrollwork around a vacant oval cartouche; beaded borders and finial
Dimensions: length 13 cm; width 8.9 cm; height 12.2 cm
Weight: 289 g
Condition: excellent; spotting to the inside base; small mark in the plating near the lip
Buyer profile: collectors of Victorian silver plate and tea-table pieces, and anyone setting a period tea tray
Collector Appeal
A compact lidded jug from the late Victorian tea table, with engraved foliate scrollwork, beaded borders and a vacant oval cartouche on each side. Its small size and neat proportions make it equally at home on a tea tray or in a collection of silver plate.
The tea is remembered; the jug that kept it going is easily forgotten.
