A pair of late 19th century Leeds (marked)) Silver Luster Puzzle Jug with 3 spouts and an impressed verse on the belly of each jug. The cut-out or pierced portion at the tops, above and below the spout, is quite elaborate. The jugs have an impressed “Leeds” mark on the bottom (rare to find them marked!). They are 7” tall and 3 ¼” in diameter at the top; the handle to lead spout distance is about 6”. The jugs are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, lines or restorations. Although the verses is hard to read, they are similar to ones that I’ve seen on other examples: Gentlemen, now try your Skill / I'll hold your Sixpence if you Will / That you don't drink unless you spill. Puzzle Jugs were English Pub jokes! A vessel with open-work cut-outs around the neck and rim, they were filled with ale or cider and customers were ‘dared’ to drink without spilling. One can only imagine that after an evening of imbibing, this was no mean feat! (The trick was to use your fingers to cover the hole under the top of the handle, and the ends of all but one of the spouts; if you used the remaining spout like a straw, liquid would be drawn from inside, up the tube in the handle through a second hole at the bottom of the jug and around the top rim. Even when sober, it is not an easy thing to do. This pair would make great mantle pieces!

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