A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver Armada jug and stand; part of our wine and drinks related silverware collection
This magnificent antique Victorian English sterling silver Armada jug has an elongated pear-shaped form onto a circular pedestal foot.
The stand has an octofoil shaped form with a central swept raised circular well.
The cylindrical neck of the silver jug is embellished with exceptional cast and applied floral and scrolling foliate decoration, all on a matte background; there is an exceptional shield shaped vacant cartouche to the underside of the pouring lip, surmounted with scrolling leaf mantling.
The knopped neck is further ornamented with an interlacing border flanked with plain bands, to a swept portion encircled with pensile bud designs.
The decoration to the body incorporates two large scrolling leaf bordered vacant cartouches, each surmounted with a coronet design embellished with floral ornamentation.
Each cartouche is further embellished with a chased figural mask design to the nadir, flanked with large floral motifs.
Either side of each cartouche is embellished with an exceptional cast and applied three-dimensional winged mermaid and mermen, gesturing towards the aforementioned coronet.
The decoration to the body is further embellished with large scrolling leaf and floral sprays incorporating a cast and applied protruding leopard's head to the anterior portion.
This magnificent antique silver Armada jug retains the original hinged cover, ornamented with chased scrolling lead decoration and surmounted with an impressive cast and applied scrolling loop finial.
This exceptional antique Victorian silver jug is fitted with a cast sterling silver scrolling handle embellished with further foliate decoration to the handpiece.
The handle incorporates a lever function to the interior of the handpiece; once depressed this opens/elevates the cover.
The domed circular pedestal foot is embellished with alternating chased arch decoration incorporating further floral and foliate designs on a matte background.
This exceptional antique silver Armada jug sits on the original hallmarked English sterling silver stand.
The outer circumference of the stand is encircled with eight exceptional embossed and chased decorated floral designs, segmented with a simple protruding leaf motif terminating at each incurve.
The raised swept portion of the stand is plain and unembellished, with a subtle applied border to the rim.
This magnificent Victorian silver jug and stand set was crafted by the renowned London silversmiths Richard Martin & Ebenezer Hall of Martin, Hall & Co; the pieces will have been crafted in fewer year but due to the hallmarking system the stand is struck with the date letter 'H' (1883) and the jug bears 'K' (1885).
Such Armada jugs with the original, matching stand are rare the market.
This magnificent jug and stand are the finest of their type you could hope to acquire.

Condition
This antique Victorian silver jug and stand is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional presentation condition. The cast, chased and embossed decoration is all very sharp. Full hallmarks struck to the underside of the stand and surface of the jug, in addition to part hallmarks to the surface of the stand are all very clear; the hallmarks are struck deeply due to the exceptional gauge of silver.

Dimensions
Jug
Length from back of handle to tip of lip 13.5cm/5.3"
Diameter of body 16.8cm/6.6"
Height of jug 38cm/15"
Total height 42.1cm/16.6"

Stand
Diameter 33.3cm/13.1"
Height 5.1cm/2"

Total Weight
77.3 troy ounces/2406g

Maker: Martin, Hall & Co (Richard Martin & Ebenezer Hall)
Date: 1883/1885
Origin: London, England