Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Claret Jug & Matching Goblets by Barnard & Sons Ltd

Exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver claret jug with matching goblets made by Barnard & Sons Ltd; an addition to our range of collectable silverware. This exceptional Victorian sterling silver set consists of a claret jug and two matching goblets. This impressive sterling silver claret jug has an ovoid form onto a circular domed foot. The body of the jug is embellished with a fine and impressive chased tapering swag design incorporating large graduating convex ovoid bead decoration amidst a shaped paralleling border with trefoil motifs on a matt background. The tapering cylindrical neck flares to the shaped rim, which is ornamented with an applied bead decorated border. The neck of the jug is encircled with bead decoration flanking a broad band of chased decoration reflecting the identical design to that of the swag decoration. The circular spreading foot to each item and upper portion of each goblet are embellished with a circular convex bead decorated border in addition to a band of bead ornamentation to the rim and knop. This antique claret jug is fitted with a fine and impressive scrolling handle with a bifurcating upper terminal. The handle is embellished with impressive shaped chased decorated ovoid bead and stylised leaf decoration. The underside of the jug bears the 'lozenge mark' which certifies the patent of this piece on 21st January 1867 with the UK Patent Office. Each goblet has a rounded bell shaped form onto a tapering circular pedestal and circular domed foot. The goblets are each embellished with two further chased ovoid swag designs with an applied bead decorated border to the rim. The goblets retain the original gilt interior. These exceptional examples of Victorian silverware were made by the renowned London silversmiths John, Edward, Walter & John Barnard of Barnard & Sons Ltd in 1873; these items will have been crafted in the same year but due to the hallmarking system the claret jug is struck with the date letter 'r' and the two goblets bear 's'. Maker: Barnard & Sons Ltd (John, Edward, Walter & John) Date: 1873 Origin: London, England