what is the hole under an antique ewer handle?

Some ceramic wash sets were designed for communal sinks or hospital environments rather than private bedrooms. Potters added a small drainage hole near the handle to let trapped air escape during the firing process. This stops the hollow handle section expanding and cracking in the kiln.

My grandmother gave me this huge heavy water jug and basin set but I am wondering if people actually used such heavy things every day?

Victorian servants hauled these water jugs up several flights of stairs every morning. A wealthy household needed dozens of gallons distributed to bedrooms before the family woke up. The weight was a deliberate design choice. A heavy base stopped the jug tipping over easily when placed down on a wooden washstand. You need that stability when pouring liquid near soft bedroom furnishings.

how do you clean inside a narrow ewer neck?

Soak the interior with warm water and a mild detergent for a few hours to loosen dirt. A flexible bottle brush will reach the awkward curves inside the neck without scratching the old glaze. Don't use stiff wire brushes.

I have a metal jug that looks just like a wash ewer but it seems way too small to hold enough water for a proper wash?

You likely have a hot water jug rather than a main wash ewer. These smaller metal vessels sat alongside the large ceramic bowl to provide a top-up of warm water for shaving. Many antique ewers were sold as part of an extensive washstand suite. The primary ceramic jug held the bulk of the cold water while smaller lidded pitchers kept a supplementary supply warm.

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Antique Ewers from the 19th Century

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An antique ewer is a large jug with a wide spout and a single handle, originally used for bringing wash water to a basin in the days before indoor plumbing.