This exceptional 19th-century Victorian English "haystack" measuring jug represents a premier example of historic British pub and marketplace history. Expertly hand-raised from heavy-gauge sheet copper, this monumental vessel features the distinctive bulbous silhouette, narrow neck, and wide flared flange engineered during the era to prevent tipping, minimize evaporation, and accommodate the thick head of freshly poured ale or cider.
At a commanding four-gallon capacity, this scale of haystack pitcher represents the apex of the coppersmith’s trade, requiring immense structural skill to hammer out compared to common pint or quart variants. The exterior showcases a beautiful hand-hammered finish with prominent rivets securing a robust strap handle, built to support a full fluid weight of roughly 33 pounds.
Crucially for the discerning collector, this piece features an intact, fully decodable British Imperial weights and measures verification stamp. The stamp displays the stylized Imperial crown flanked by the VR (Victoria Regina) royal cypher, placing its commercial authentication firmly between 1879 and January 1901. Beneath the cypher is the official Board of Trade uniform district number 536, which definitively traces its commercial use to the Hereford and Worcestershire region of England. An isolated letter "E" stamped above the crown denotes the specific inspector's cycle code.
Boasting a spectacular, deep, rich patina that beautifully underscores its pre-industrial craftsmanship, this rare, museum-quality piece offers a striking presence. It is a premier addition to any high-end collection of antique copperware, kitchenalia, or English tavern history, perfectly suited for an elegant hearth, tavern room display, or primitive kitchen vignette.
Size: 14” Dia. x 13.5” H
C. 1870-1880, England
This exceptional 19th-century Victorian English "haystack" measuring jug represents a premier example of historic British pub and marketplace history. Expertly hand-raised from heavy-gauge sheet copper, this monumental vessel features the distinctive bulbous silhouette, narrow neck, and wide flared flange engineered during the era to prevent tipping, minimize evaporation, and accommodate the thick head of freshly poured ale or cider.
At a commanding four-gallon capacity, this scale of haystack pitcher represents the apex of the coppersmith’s trade, requiring immense structural skill to hammer out compared to common pint or quart variants. The exterior showcases a beautiful hand-hammered finish with prominent rivets securing a robust strap handle, built to support a full fluid weight of roughly 33 pounds.
Crucially for the discerning collector, this piece features an intact, fully decodable British Imperial weights and measures verification stamp. The stamp displays the stylized Imperial crown flanked by the VR (Victoria Regina) royal cypher, placing its commercial authentication firmly between 1879 and January 1901. Beneath the cypher is the official Board of Trade uniform district number 536, which definitively traces its commercial use to the Hereford and Worcestershire region of England. An isolated letter "E" stamped above the crown denotes the specific inspector's cycle code.
Boasting a spectacular, deep, rich patina that beautifully underscores its pre-industrial craftsmanship, this rare, museum-quality piece offers a striking presence. It is a premier addition to any high-end collection of antique copperware, kitchenalia, or English tavern history, perfectly suited for an elegant hearth, tavern room display, or primitive kitchen vignette.
Size: 14” Dia. x 13.5” H
C. 1870-1880, England
