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This jug was an impressive way to serve beer two centuries ago. Thomas Pardoe was a skilful, versatile artist but, looking at this, you wouldn't think tigers were his strong point. In fact, this is an accurate copy of a scientific print, although he made up the scenery himself.

Pearlware jug, footring, Herculaneum shape, strap handle, plain spout. Naturalistically painted in enamels with a landscape scene of a tiger in front of rocks, palm trees to right, brown foliage tree to left; gilt band around base, gilt marbled effect on underside of lip, band of gilt leaves around rim, gilt strokes along back of handle.

Painted with a tiger after an engraving by James Heath in George Shaw's 'General Zoology' (1800).