Lot 609: A ceramic gin spirit barrel with wooden spigot

A ceramic spirit barrel of ovoid form, constructed from earthenware with a cream-coloured crackle glaze. The body features horizontal relief bands simulating wooden barrel hoops and is fitted with a removable circular lid. The front is decorated with an ornate foliate and shell-style cartouche finished in gilt and brown enamel, enclosing the word GIN in bold capitals. A ceramic boss at the base holds a wooden spigot with a cross-handle. There are no legible factory marks, signatures, or stamps on the object; the base consists of an unglazed foot rim surrounding a glazed centre that displays dark staining and heavy crazing (photo 5).