Valuable medieval jug set for British Museum loan

A 14th Century jug estimated to be worth up to £1m could go on loan from Luton to the British Museum.

The bronze Wenlok Jug is set to be lent by Stockwood Discovery Centre to the London museum, subject to the local authority's agreement.

It was nearly sold to New York's Metropolitan Museum in 2005, but a temporary export ban provided the opportunity for Luton Museum to raise the £750,000 needed to buy it.

After going on display at the discovery centre, the jug was stolen in May 2012 but recovered by police four months later.

The loan, which would run from February to June next year, is subject to Luton Borough Council being satisfied with the terms and conditions of the arrangement, according to a report drawn up for the council's executive committee.

The jug is a rare example of metalwork that can be associated with royalty from the 1400s.

Its estimated value is between £750,000 and £1m because of its age and rarity, the craftsmanship and its inscription of "My Lord Wenlok", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

There are two similar jugs in the UK. One is the Asante Ewer, which is already at the British Museum, and the other is the Robinson Jug at the Victoria and Albert Museum, which was found in a manor house in Norfolk.

The report explained: "The British Museum has requested a loan of the Wenlok Jug to feature in an exhibition, 'The many lives of the Asante Ewers'... The intention is for all three jugs to be displayed there."

It added: "The inclusion of this item as part of a nationally significant exhibition presents an opportunity to increase civic pride, build stronger links with the British Museum and raise the profile of Luton's own [museums] to attract more visitors to the town."