These magnificent antique German silver and glass claret jugs have a moon flask shaped form.
The cylindrical necks are encircled with embossed knops, each ornamented with scrolling decoration on a matt background.
The upper bead decorated knop of each jug is surmounted with an impressive boat shaped collar, incorporating a flared lip and fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover.
The covers are further ornamented with embossed decoration to the domed portions, displayed within plain paralleling arabesque shaped borders, accented with impressive single scrolling leaf decorated thumbpieces.
Each cover is surmounted with an exceptional finial featuring fluted and scroll decoration surmounted with swept leaf designs incorporating a ball terminal.
The glass bodies of these antique claret jugs are embellished with fine and impressive, large cut glass floral motifs accented with a textured background to each incurve.
Each glass vessel is enveloped with an impressive 800 standard silver surround incorporating a strapwork bordered cartouche to either side; one displays the contemporary engraved initials 'TSE' and the other bears the German inscription '1855, 18 Marz, 1880'.
The silver surrounds to the jugs are embellished with impressive embossed scenes depicting a nude nymph style character pouring liquid from a bottle into a large chalice, all bordered with interlacing scrolling leaf designs emanating from the upper and lower portions.
These magnificent jugs are fitted with an exceptional, fine and impressive silver ribbed, scrolling handles enveloped with plain handpieces and embellished with further strapwork decoration and incorporating a scrolling leaf decorated thumbpieces.
Each jug is supported by an impressive circular spreading foot encircled with an embossed scrolling leaf ornamentation, matching the style of the knop to the neck.
The subdued matte finish to the 800 standard silver bodies of these impressive jugs are accented with gilt ornamentation to the paralleling borders, enhanced with simplistic bright cut engraved decoration.
The interior of the cover and lipped collar retain the original gilt interior.
This exceptional example of antique silverware is struck with the standard/purity mark 800; the piece does not feature an assay or maker's mark, therefore the date/origin can be determined by the composition and decoration.
Date: Circa 1880
