The body modelled as a milk churn of tapering shape with 5 bands around the sides and applied with two looped handles. The main handle cast as a cat climbing up the side and peering over the flared rim. The interior gilt, the base with a registration lozenge and the sides engraved with with two crests.
Sir Frederick Hervey-Bathurst, 4th Baronet
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A few of these amusing cream jugs have appeared on the market over the last 25 years and it is evident that they were made in two sizes. The larger variety, as in this case, is 5.5" high whilst the smaller measure 4.5". One of the latter sold at Dreweatt Neate on 7th July, 2021, lot 18 for £3276 (inc. premium).
What sets this jug apart from all the others is that it was made for a noted cricketer Sir Frederick Hervey-Bathurst. The sides are engraved with his crests and the base reveals that the design was registered on 7th February, 1868. Sir Frederick was the son of Sir Frederick, 3rd Baronet who played for the MCC and in 1852 the younger Frederick made his debut for that same club playing for them 10 times until 1861 when he played for Hampshire. He bowled fast round arm and slow underarm. His last match was in 1866 against the MCC and on the death of his father in 1881 he became the 4th Baronet. He died in May 1900.
He also had a successful political career being a Conservative MP for South Wiltshire.