A English art nouveau silver claret jug

Price: £1,250

A rare art nouveau English silver claret jug by one of the the more innovative silversmiths of the period, John Grinsell and Sons. Marked for Birmingham  1913.

The jug is designed in classic nouveau style with stylized plants and flowers flowing across the silver mounts. The lid also with stylized flower design.

The John Grinsell business was originally established in Birmingham around 1860 as Grinsell & Bourne.  When the partnership was dissolved (1871), John Grinsell started a new business with his sons (Thomas Bywater Grinsell, James Erazmus Grinsell, Lorenzo Grinsell and Joseph Charles Grinsell) as John Grinsell & Sons.
The firm was active at Victoria Works, 57 Tower Street, St. George’s, Birmingham with show rooms at 13 Charterhouse Street, Holborn Circus, London and 73 West Nile Street, Glasgow.  In 1905 the firm was converted to John Grinsell & Sons Ltd.

The firm was specialized in the manufacture of silver-mounted glass, stoneware and ceramic items.  Grinsell’s production around 1900 exhibits many of the qualities of Christopher Dresser’s designs and, whilst unproven, it may be that they were a later buyer of his designs just prior to his death in 1904.  The designer of this claret jug is unknown.

Maker:  John Grinsell and Sons

Designer:  Unknown

Date: 1913

Marks: JG&S, Birmingham, o

Material: Sterling silver, glass

Condition: Excellent, minute “fleabite” to glass, makers mark slightly rubbed

Size: 24cm tall

Weight: NM

 

SKU: A1547-1

Additional Information

Period

Art nouveau