Lot 254
254
A pair of Victorian silver-gilt mounted glass small claret-jugs
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN 
A pair of Victorian silver-gilt mounted glass small claret-jugs

MARK OF CORNELIUS DESORMEAUX SAUNDERS AND JAMES FRANCIS HOLLINGS SHEPHERD, LONDON, 1895

Details
A pair of Victorian silver-gilt mounted glass small claret-jugs
Mark of Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders and James Francis Hollings Shepherd, London, 1895
Formed as serpents, each with spiral coiled glass body with silver-gilt head and tail mounts, the hinged head realistically chased with scales and protruding forked tongue and set with red and black glass eyes, with silver-gilt mounted cork stopper (one lacking), the tail mount spirally fluted, each marked on collar and head
8in. (20.2cm.) high (2)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

The Victorian fashion for ever more elaborate table-settings and fanciful realism found form towards the end of the 19th century in silver-mounted glass claret-jugs in the shape of animals. The scope of flora and fauna known to the Victorians had increased exponentially with exploration and the Empire; some homes, including that of Queen Victoria, even had 'Indian' or 'Oriental' rooms in which to display exotic objects obtained on travels, or their reproductions. The present rare set of two cobras represents a rather more restrained design yet with the careful detail of spiral cutting to the glass, which gives the impression of diamond-shaped scales when viewed from above.

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