A Gothic Revival glass and silver plate mounted ewer or flagon, circa 1850s, in the Pugin, Hardman style, of claret jug form, the footed baluster body bound with pierced trefoil arcaded straps, united by a tapered scroll handle with foliate terminals, the hinged lid domed and tooled with bright cut lappets, surmounted with a cross finial, 29.5cm high

Note: two architect pioneers of the Gothic Revival in Britain contributed to the proliferation of the new style in decorative arts throughout the second half of the 19th century: William Butterfield and A W N Pugin. Butterfield's reformed style was executed by silversmith John Keith, who manufactured utilitarian and ceremonial objects for use in Butterfield's churches and chapels, while Pugin engaged his inlaws, John Hardman and William Powell to produce the same for his ecclesiastical buildings and clients. This jug combines stylistic elements from both designers, with a very high quality of manufacture.