Description

An excellent quality antique silver castor from the early 1700’s having a baluster shape and the desirable octagonal panelled design. Made of heavy grade silver it feels good in the hand. The pull off top and the base are both made of cast silver and its unusual features include a top finial in the form of sugar caster, and a gilded interior. Hand engraved to the front is a star crest.

Total weight 214 grams, 6.8 troy oz.
Height 17.6cm.
London 1712.
Maker probably Ozee Lhommedieu.
Britannia standard silver*.
18th century.

Marks. The body is stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks, the top with the Britannia mark within the piercing. There is also a small mark, probably a duty mark, on the top rim. The maker’s mark is not fully struck and we have attributed the maker on the grounds of the “O” being fully visible, the maker fitting the correct period, and the caster being in the “French style”.

Britannia Standard silver. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720.

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 (the term “muffineer” is also used for these). 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.

This fine antique castor is in very good condition and shows moderate signs of wear commensurate with age.

Maker: Ozee Lhommedieu

Ozee Lhommedieu, London silversmith, no recored of apprenticeship or freedom. Only mark entered as smallworker, undated.

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