1967.239 and 2006.39

The Historical Essex Jug

By Edward Bingham
39cm x 24cm
1880 – 1905

Made of the finest selected clays from the alluvial deposits of the County, by Edward Bingham, Castle Hedingham, as a specimen of Essex manufacture.

The natural productions are represented by the ears of Wheat along the brim, “Native” Oysters down the handle and the borderings of Hops and Saffron around the three large Medallions.

The County Arms surmount the handle and in the front are the Arms of four Essex Boroughs, Harwich, Colchester, Chelmsford and Maldon. The Essex monogram is at the back of the Jug.

Some time honoured buildings of Essex are shown by the Castles of Hedingham, Colchester; Layer Marney Tower (at back), Hadleigh Castle, Beckenham Gate, Stratford Abbey (neck), Saffron Walden Castle and Waltham (at foot).

Six ancient families of Essex are noted by their shields: – DeVere, Tyrell, Bourchier, and Symonds (under handle), Capel and Mildmay (top and bottom of same).

The central Medallion is adapted from the frontispieceof old Peter Muilman’s History of the County and represents“Essex” displaying her resources to “Agriculture and Commerce”. The tow side Medallions of original design show respectively an Essex battle scene, “Boadicea breaking the Roman Legions at Messing in Essex” and an old Essex custom. “The Dunmow Flitch”, with a procession of “Essex Calves”.

Three specimens of the very ancient coinage of the county appear on the Jug in obverse and reverse with one each of Cunobeline, Carausius and Constantius.