Were these jugs used for water or wine?

Makers produced these vessels for various table duties, including serving water, wine, and claret. Larger pitchers handled water at the dining table, while smaller decanters held wine. The presence of matching glasses often indicates the intended beverage service for guests.

How can I tell cranberry glass from other red glass?

Genuine cranberry glass derives its colour from gold salts rather than cheaper copper or selenium agents. This gives the material a distinct pinkish-red hue that shifts subtly under different lighting conditions. Examination under magnification often reveals the depth of tone characteristic of nineteenth-century batch formulas.

What is the Mary Gregory style?

Mary Gregory pieces feature white enamel illustrations depicting Victorian children amidst foliage or landscapes. These painted scenes appear primarily on coloured glass grounds like green, blue, or cranberry. The style takes its name from an American decorator, though most surviving examples originated in British and European glasshouses.