Anthony Elson Silver Gilt 'Bristol 600' Claret Jug

London 1973

Fully Hallmarked Silver
Sterling (925)

Height: 32 cm

Limited Edition: 600th Anniversary of the City of Bristol 1373-1973 with the Bristol Assay Office Mark for The Heritage Collection with Royal Brierley Crystal Body

The Plantagenet Crown links each piece from the set - Finial on CLARET JUG , as a Calyx below the bowls on the GOBLETS and piercing round the COASTERS.

The base of the coasters, of rich walnut, are inset with a chased disc reproduced from the Burgesses'  Seal of the City showing the distinctive guardian trumpeter on the fortress walls. The Latin inscription translates: 'I am the Key of the Secret port, the sailor guards the door of the ship, the watchman points out the port with his forefinger’

Anthony Law told me: 'I worked for Anthony Elson from 1970 to 1973 as a chaser, carver and engraver and was responsible for the decorative/historical aspect of the Bristol 600 claret suite and for some of the design work. I made the electroforming patterns for the claret jug lids and handles and for the central discs in the coasters. If I remember correctly I also made the casting pattern for the goblet stems. Whereas I kept to the generally Mediaeval theme of the design the man in the boat on the claret jug lid is a self portrait (as I was then).