Description

A super quality set of 3 antique silver castors with pierced removable tops. Classic plain form. Heavy gauge and chunky style. Each is hand engraved to the front with a large cypher on a matted ground.

Total weight 443 grams, 14.2 troy ounces.
Tall castor – height 16cm. Pair of smaller castors – height 13cms.
London 1728.
Maker Samuel Welder.
Sterling silver.
18^th century.

Marks. All three are stamped on the underside with a full and matching set of English silver hallmarks, the tops with the lion mark only. The maker’s mark is poorly struck with only the letter ”W” visible, likely to be “SW” for Samuel Welder, a specialist caster maker of the period.

Cyphers. Cyphers are attractive designs of interlaced and reversed letters, fashionable towards the end of the 17^th century and beginning of the 18^th century. Benjamin Rhodes, a famous goldsmith/engraver of that period (apprenticed to David Venables, goldsmith in 1670, free in 1678) published his “New Book of Cyphers” in 1723 containing a comprehensive set of cypher designs in alphabetical sequence.

Literature. 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. Sugar casters are also referred to as “muffineers”.

These excellent silver castors are in very condition. Lovely antique colour. They show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age.

Maker: Samuel Welder

Samuel Welder, London silversmith, apprenticed to Robert Keble in 1707, free 1714. 1st mark entered as largeworker 1714, 2nd mark 1717, 3rd (sterling mark) 1720, 4th mark 1729. Welder was a specialist caster maker of the period. Welder’s mark is sometimes confused with Samuel Woods’ mark (also a specialist caster maker). Although similar in appearance Wood’s 1st mark wasn’t entered until 1730.

Customer satisfaction is our primary concern

All silverware on our website is checked thoroughly prior to offering it for sale and every product listing contains a condition report and details of the silver hallmarks.

All items offered on our website include:

• Free Shipping Worldwide
• Tracked and Insured
• 14 day no quibble money back guarantee
• We are accredited members of LAPADA and conform to their strict professional standards
• We dispatch 1-3 days after receiving cleared payments

More detailed information about deliveries, returns and how to pay is available in the Help section at the bottom of this page.