Antique George I Silver Pepper


Date: 1719

Country: England

Stock: 8512

Description

An antique Britannia standard* silver kitchen pepper with ring handle. The lid has a bayonet fitting and is pierced with concentric rings of little holes. Both body and lid retain the original gilding. Weight 68 grams, 2 troy ounces. Height 7.5 cms. Diameter of base 4.7 cms. Marked underneath for London 1719. Makers mark indistinct.

Literature: *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. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.

Biography

Condition

This little pepper is in very good condition with no damage or restoration. Stamped with a full set of English silver hallmarks; the date letter and lions head erased are clear, the Britannia mark next to the date letter is very shallow but can be made out, the makers mark is only partially stamped. The bottom is slightly 'not round'. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

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