The jug is covered in a rich aubergine purple lead silicate glaze.
The lower section is of near globular form, surmounted by a tall cylindrical neck; the whole supported on a splayed foot.
The knopped lid, a central band and the footrim are all of silver-gilt; the two former linked by a silver-gilt scroll handle, 12.5cm.
The jug was part of a bequest from Elizabeth, Countess of Devonshire (1619-1689) to her daughter Anne, Countess of Exeter (1649-1703), which is recorded in an inventory known as the 1690 Devonshire Schedule.
This lists, under the heading ‘Lesser China garnisht with silver Guilt’: ‘A Purple Cann garnisht Top Bottom and Middle.’
