# Claret Jug

- By: Christopher Dresser (Made by J. T. Heath and J. H. Middleton (Birmingham, England, 1887-1952))
- Date: c. 1892-c. 1893
- Medium: Silver, glass, and ebony
- Classification: Metalwork
- Dimensions: H.: 44.7 cm (16 5/8 in.)
- Culture: Birmingham
- Credit line: Gift of the Auxiliary Board of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Museum: [Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/117274)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/0c37dc8e-561c-069b-57fc-15266ef1d20b/full/!1769,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Teens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

Claret, a French wine, had become increasingly accessible in England by the late nineteenth century, prompting silversmith firms to produce a wide variety of jugs specifically for its enjoyment. Christopher Dresser designed many for the Birmingham-based manufactory Heath and Middleton (successor to Hukin and Heath, established 1855). In this example, Dresser played with form, coupling an elongated neck with a starkly straight ebony handle of equal length.

Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0