Mary Cooke Antiques Ltd

The Claret Jugs have large baluster shaped main bodies with a star cut base.  The Jugs have plain silver mounts with a sparrow beak pouring spout and handle decorated with scrolls.  The stepped hinged cover displays a cast Lion thumb piece  holding a shield engraved with a contemporary Crest.  The cover is beautifully engraved with a detailed Armorial surrounded by a Rococo style strap work cartouche.

The Armorial and Crest are those of Meux, of Theobalds Park, co. Herts, impaling Bruce, quartering Brudenell, for Sir Henry Meux, 2nd Baronet and his wife Lady Louisa Caroline, elder daughter of the third Marquis of Aylesbury.  They married in 1856 and she died in 1894.  They had only one son, Sir Henry Bruce Meux, third and last Baronet, who died in 1900.  The second baronet was High Sheriff of co. Herts 1845 and MP for the county of Herts 1847-1859. A picture of Theobalds Park is illustrated.

The Meux were considerable London brewers, the founder being the first baronet, created 1831.  It was his brewery which caused the Great London Beer Flood of 1814, when the St.Giles area was flooded with 323,000 imperial gallons of beer.  A giant vat ruptured, which was so great that it demolished several buildings and eight people were killed by drowning, building collapse, asphyxiation by porter fumes and, in at least one case, from intoxication !

Height: 11 inches.
Diameter at the widest point: 5.75 inches

Price on Application