Claret Jug
Date1885-1886
MediumSterling silver, gilding, and emeralds or colored glass
Dimensions9 inches (22.9 cm)
MarkingsMaker's mark in an elaborate cartouche: GF
Mark: K [in shield]
Credit LineMuseum purchase with funds raised by the Gari Melchers Collectors’ Society.
Object number2015.1.7
CopyrightThe images and text contained on this page are owned by Telfair Museums or used by the Museum with permission from the owners. Unauthorized reproduction, transmission or display of these materials is prohibited with the exception of items deemed “fair use” as defined by U.S. and international copyright laws.Label TextGeorge Fox (1816-1910) took over his father's firm with his brother Charles Thomas Fox (1801-1872) in 1841 and worked in partnership as C.T. & G. Fox until Charles' retirement around 1860, when George Fox continued the firm and registered his own marks. Throughout the 19th century, European designers turned to the medieval past for inspiration. They incorporated ornament from architecture and illuminated manuscripts into their work, and sometimes they reinvented new uses for historic objects. This claret jug's form is based on the aquamanile, a brass or bronze vessel used for hand washing in European religious settings in the Middle Ages. Aquamaniles often took the shape of lions, unicorns, or other mythological beasts, just as this jug takes the shape of a bird of prey.
