Sterling Silver Crystal Claret Jug or Wine Jug with a Grape and Vine handle.

This Sterling Silver Claret jug has an elegant hallmarked Sterling Silver neck with a Sterling Silver stylized grape and vine handle, handmade in our Brentwood workshop; this is one of two exquisite Sterling Silver Claret jugs in the 'Appetite' collection by JA Campbell.

The Claret jug body is mouth blown English Crystal. Each piece is unique having been made by a master glass blower and his supporting team of craftsmen. In the unlikely event of a mishap, JA Campbell Silversmiths can repair or replace the crystal body.

THIS ITEM IS EXCLUSIVE TO THIS WEBSITE AND ONLY AVAILABLE FROM J A CAMPBELL 

An impressive accessory to have on your dinner table, this claret jug is sure to attract attention, impress your guests, friends and relatives and become an interesting talking point

This elegant sophisticated Sterling Silver Claret jug is the ideal way to serve red wine or port.

As the name suggests the ideal wine to serve from the jug is, of course, Claret. Claret derives from the French 'Clairet' it is a protected name within the EU describing a red Bordeaux wine.

The standard style of Bordeaux wine has not always been deep red, it used to be closer to a Rose, hence the French 'Clairet' meaning 'pale'

Decanting, especially older red wines, greatly improves the clarity and taste by removing the sediment and aerating the wine.

Made from 5 main components, the stopper and body are crystal and the handle and body are sterling silver. This jug is a fine example of craftsmanship today. Some 60 or so operations are necessary to complete this piece from start to finish.

The main method used to make the claret jug silver neck is known as 'spinning' and is performed on a lathe where a metal blank or disk is coaxed or 'spun' over a preformed shape, a 'chuck', using a highly polished steel burnisher with a long wooden handle. The silversmith holds the steel part in his hand and tucks the handle under his arm using his body weight to move the metal. The skillful part of this technique is stopping the metal from buckling which sheet material will try to do when moved off the flat. This jug neck is made in 2 parts (joined together with silver solder) the top part using 1.3mm thick silver is used to form the lip and the lower one somewhat thinner at 0.9mm thick. These components will work harden during the spinning process and require several 'anneals' (making red hot on a forge) to soften the silver.

The handle is made using the 'lost wax' method, basically an ancient process that has been modernized a little to improve quality and efficiency. Molten wax is injected into a pre made rubber mould, which when cooled and solidified is 'invested' into a plaster of Paris mould. When set the plaster mould is then heated to melt out the wax and is replaced with molten silver. In the modern way using a centrifuge to fill all the crevices and form the pattern. On completion the now 2 main silver components, handle and neck are joined together, again using silver solder.

Next it is time for a visit to the London Assay Office housed in goldsmiths Hall where all the components will be sampled and analyzed to ensure that all are at least 92.5% pure silver, the remaining 7.5% consists of copper which is added to harden the otherwise too soft pure silver. Once the silver has passed its test the hallmarks are stamped into the surface.

Upon return to the silversmiths workshop the slight dents caused by the punching and scrape marks caused by the sampling are removed and the item is polished using 4 grades of polishing compounds. The items are then ultrasonically cleaned. Lastly the jug body is attached and fixed to the crystal body using Plaster of Paris. It is then packaged into the distinctive JA Campbell presentation boxes.

This sterling silver claret jug is a pleasure to use today and a great investment to be handed down to future generations.

As with most things in life your silver will need occasional cleaning, this does not need to be a chore and is quite therapeutic. From as little as a quick wash, to a 'buff up' to remove light tarnish, and then occasional polish using silver cleaner such as Silvo. This item is highly suitable for engraving to further personalize with a name, initials, logo, or even the vessels name.