A Staffordshire salt-glazed white stoneware bear jug and cover, 18th century, the mounts later

Property of a descendant of William Beckford & The Dukes of Hamilton
A Staffordshire salt-glazed white stoneware bear jug and cover, 18th century, the mounts later

typically modelled with the bear sitting on its haunches, applied with chipped clay and dark brown slip, mounted, probably in silver with a collar to the edge of the cover and forearms grasping a nut
21cm. high; 8¼in.

Condition Report:
Cracked across the base but otherwise in good order apart from the obvious losses and replacements to the arms.

Provenance:
Possibly acquired by William, 11th Duke of Hamilton (1811-1863) or his wife Marie, Duchess of Hamilton (1818-1888) around the time of their alterations and redecoration of Brodick Castle, Arran;
By descent to their granddaughter, Lady Mary Louise (1884-1957), only child and principal heir of William Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, 12th Duke of Hamilton, who married in 1906 James Graham (1878-1954), Marquis of Graham who in 1925 succeeded his father as 6th Duke of Montrose;
Thence by descent.