Tigerware Jug
Hallmarked London, 1561

This exceptionally rare circa 1560 stoneware jug showcases the distinctive craftsmanship of Elizabethan silver and brown salt-glazed pottery, known as "tigerware" by the Elizabethans. This type of pottery earned its name due to a misconception, popularized by the literary figure William Caxton, that tigers had spotted fur. The finest of these jugs, like this very example, were decorated with ornate silver gilt mountings, elevating the time-honored tradition of drinking beer and ale. They are considered the forerunners of the Elizabethan tankard and were commonly seen on the tables of wealthy families.

This jug, notable for its petite and pleasing proportions, was likely intended for the lady of the house. The footing is adorned with a small dental motif, and an engraved moresque pattern of leafy vines encircles the neck. The vox atop the handle conceals a hinge, allowing the cover to be raised and lowered. As is typical of early tigerware jugs, the cover is more ornately decorated than the lip mount, featuring masks surrounded by lush fruits and vegetables. Layered under the baluster finial are acanthus leaves, a design element first used in Greek monumental architecture and adopted into various styles since. A whimsical detail can be found on the thumbpiece, which features a mermaid wearing a Dutch-style hat.

Very few of these period pieces have survived the ravages of time. During the English Civil War (1642-1651), most of the exquisite silver items that once adorned the tables of the wealthy and graced royal courts were destroyed. Today, surviving examples of pre-Oliver Cromwell (d. 1658) English silverwork are among the rarest and most sought-after items, each one a museum-quality discovery. A similar jug is housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The collar and cover are both marked, with the set of marks inside the cover being particularly crisp, showing little wear. The maker, who used the bird’s claw mark, was active throughout the 1560s. 

7 1/4“ high x 4 1/2” wide x 4“ deep 

Provenance:
Mrs. C.I. Masterson, Pettings Court, Wrotham, Kent
Christie’s London, 7 November 1945, lot 95
Private Collection
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Red McCombs Collection, Texas
M.S. Rau, New Orleans