Beer jug
Category
Historic Services / Food & drink preparation
Date
1900 - 1904
Materials
gilt, silver & iron
Measurements
400 mm (H); 340 mm (W); 230 mm (D)
Order this imageCollection
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
NT 107385
Summary
Silver-coated iron beer-jug from Lhasa, Tibet. The mouth of the jug is in the shape of a monk's hat. It was a typical design for tea ewers for religious use and then became a popular design for other vessels, including beer-jugs. The religious theme is also seen by the depiction of the Eight Auspicious Symbols that appear in gilt. Beer-jugs were often used at weddings and other celebrations, where it was customary to drink the light beer that was usually made from barley. 'A beer-jug (Chang) of iron coated with silver enriched with gilt designs - From Lhasa' (Christie's entry)
Provenance
Purchased in 1986 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund from Francis Curzon, 3rd Viscount Scarsdale (1924-2000). Gifted to the National Trust in 1987 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.