Sugar Casters
Peppers, Salts and Mustard Pots
Cruet Sets
Oil & Vinegar Sets
Antique Silver Casters didn't become common household objects until the late 17th century. They were made in varying sizes and designs and were usually for sugar or pepper although the Blind Caster, the earliest form of mustard pot, was used for dry mustard.
Sugar Casters
Peppers, Salts and Mustard Pots
Cruet Sets
Oil & Vinegar Sets
Antique Silver Casters didn't become common household objects until the late 17th century. They were made in varying sizes and designs and were usually for sugar or pepper although the Blind Caster, the earliest form of mustard pot, was used for dry mustard. The old spelling "castor" is not in frequent use currently and generally speaking, the term “caster” is only used now for sugar. During the 18th century, casters were often produced in sets of three for sugar and two types of pepper. As granulated sugar is a more modern development, the early Sugar Castors had larger holes necessary for crushed sugar.
Antique Silver Salt Cellars are not commonly found until the 1700’s although the use of Salt Cellars is documented as early as classical Rome. During medieval times elaborate master salt cellars evolved which had not only a practical use but above all, a ceremonial importance, indicating the relative status of persons by their position at the table in relation to the large salt. By 1600 the Trencher Salt was in use in England however these earliest examples are extremely rare and probably you won’t find a pair of trencher salts before 1690. These salts had no feet and were made in a wide range of shapes: round, oval rectangular, triangular or octagonal. The early trencher salts were often marked inside the bowl and are often badly worn through use and cleaning. During the late 1730s the more traditional circular salt standing on 3 legs had mainly replaced the trencher salt. This shape remained popular until the late 18th century when the advent of the Industrial Revolution rendered both salt and salt cellars commonplace. From this time onwards silver salts were produced in a variety of forms, some with blue glass liners, and these become commonplace on the English dining table. Salt Shakers began to appear in the Victorian era, however there were problems with salt clumping. It was not until after 1911, when anti-caking agents began to be added to table salt, that salt shakers gained favour and open salts began to fall into disuse.
Antique Silver Peppers (Pepperettes or Pepper Shakers) originated in the 17th century when they were more commonly known as Casters. The most popular styles were baluster, hexagonal, vase and lighthouse which continued through to today. Novelty Peppers are a popular collecting field and can be found in many attractive forms, particularly animals. Kitchen Peppers have a side handle to aid pouring. The Pepper Mill was introduced towards the end of the 19th century, often with a French ball bearing movement, to grind the pepper at the table. They are often in the form of a butter churn.
The earliest antique silver Cruet frames, containing 3 castors and 2 glass bottles, were made from c.1700 onwards. This attractive form is known as the “Warwick” cruet after the cruet created by Anthony Nelme in 1715 for the Duke of Warwick. At this early date the two bottle Oil and Vinegar frame was occasionally produced although these are more popular on the continent. Later in the 18th century the number of bottles in a cruet increased to as many as 8 or 10 containing a variety of sauces of the period such as soy, ketchup, tarragon etc, so many that little sauce labels were needed to identify the contents.
Antique Silver Mustard Pots make a practical addition to the dining table. Mustard was originally used as a spice and applied in dry form. The earliest form of mustard pot, dating from the late 17th century, was the blind caster and the current form of mustard pot did not become common until the late 18th century. The pots usually have a glass liner to facilitate cleaning and often have a small matching silver spoon (with an oval shaped bowl). Novelty Mustards are a popular collecting field and can be found in many attractive forms, particularly animals.
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