Late Victorian Star Cut Lead Crystal Claret Jug

This is a nice example of a high quality cut lead crystal claret jug, probably British in origin and dating to around 1870. The body is of flattened globular form and has a large star cut on either side. The body tapers in to form a narrow neck; this is cut with five petals that have curved upper and lower margins. The spout is everted with an undulating rim. The upper attachment of the thick, strap-like handle is fixed to the neck; it extends down to just above the centre of the body. The base is flat with a central polished pontil. The stopper is of multifaceted ball form, with six facets on the waisted neck. The peg of the stopper and the inside of the neck are ground to ensure close fitting. It has a maximum height (including the stopper) of approximately 25.9cm and a maximum width across the body of about 15.0cm. It is in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks, although there may be the odd wear and tear scratch to the body and base, commensurate with the age of the piece.