Casters

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”.

Casters

1686

9283 Antique James II Silver Sugar Caster
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A late 17th century antique sterling silver muffineer in the traditional lighthouse design with a bayonet fitting, so typical of these very early casters. This lovely castor is of heavy quality and feels good in the hand. The base is plain styled with pierced motifs, the top is simply pierced, the holes are quite large as crushed loaf sugar was still in use at this early date. Engraved to the front is a large armorial, the top has the matching crest. Weight 243 grams, 7.8 troy ounces. Height 17 cms. Diameter of base 8.2 cms. London 1686. Makers mark “FA”* – see Jacksons page 133.
1690
Thomas Brydon
8362 William & Mary Antique Silver Sugar Caster
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A late 17th century antique sterling silver muffineer in the traditional lighthouse design with a bayonet fitting, so typical of these very early casters. This lovely castor is of heavy quality and feels good in the hand. The base is plain styled with fluted borders, the top is simply pierced, the holes are quite large as crushed loaf sugar was still in use at this early date. Uninscribed. Weight 310 grams, 9.9 troy ounces. Height 20 cm. Diameter of base 8.5 cm. London 1690. Makers mark for Thomas Brydon (overstruck) – see Jacksons page 148, bottom mark.
1696
St John Hoyte
9964 William III Antique Silver Caster
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A late 17th century antique sterling silver muffineer in the traditional lighthouse design with a bayonet fitting, so typical of these very early casters. Excellent size and heavy quality, it feels good in the hand. Lovely patina. The base is plain styled with a gadrooned base, the top is simply pierced, the holes are quite large as crushed loaf sugar was still in use at this early date. Uninscribed.Weight 304 grams, 9.7 troy ounces. Height 19.5cm. Diameter of base 6.3cm. London 1686. Makers mark for St John Hoyte. Sterling silver
1701

8924 William III Silver Sugar Caster
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An early English antique sterling silver muffineer in the traditional lighthouse design with a bayonet fitting, so typical of these very early casters. Unusual small size. This lovely castor is of heavy quality and feels good in the hand. The base is plain styled with fluted borders, the top has excellent quality piercing with hand engraved detail. There is a crest and initial to the front. Weight 208 grams, 6.6 troy ounces. Height 16 cms. Diameter of base 7 cms. London 1701. Maker unidentified.
1702
William Fawdery
3862 Queen Anne Antique Silver Castor
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An antique Britannia standard silver muffineer in the traditional lighthouse design and having a bayonet fitting. This lovely piece is of heavy quality and feels good in the hand. The base is simply styled with gadroon borders, the top is beautifully pierced and engraved and there is the original coat of arms engraved to the front. Weight 10.5 troy ounces. Height 21 cms. London 1702. Maker William Fawdery.
1704
Andrew Raven
8743 Queen Anne Silver Sugar Caster
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Very rare double walled design. An antique silver muffineer in the traditional lighthouse design so typical of these very early casters. Britannia standard silver*. The cover extends right down to the girdle above the armorial, covering the main body. This lovely castor is of heavy quality and feels good in the hand. To the front there is a hand engraved armorial within a large decorative cartouche. The base is plain styled with fluted borders, the top is simply pierced, the holes are quite large as crushed loaf sugar was still in use at this early date. Unengraved. Weight 391 grams, 12.5 troy ounces. Height 19 cms. Diameter of base 8.5 cms. London 1704. Makers mark for Andrew Raven.
1707
Charles Adam
8574 Antique Queen Anne Silver Caster
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An early English antique silver muffineer from the early 1700 period. Britannia standard silver*. Large size. Baluster shape. Excellent plain style. The top has a bayonet fitting and has two panels of pretty piercing with hand engraving. The base is plain with just a hand engraved lion crest to the front. Weight 265 grams, 8.5 troy ounces. Height 20.5 cms. London 1707. Makers mark for Charles Adams.
1708
Richard Syng
9180 Antique Queen Anne Silver Casters
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A matching pair of early English antique silver muffineers from the early 1700 Queen Anne period. Britannia standard silver*. Bayonet fitting and with the desirable octagonal panelled design. Incredible weight. These lovely castors are made of cast silver and feel good in the hand. The pull off tops are prettily pierced. Each has a hand engraved cartouche to the front containing 3 lions crowned. Total weight 554 grams, 17.8 troy ounces. Height 18.5 cms. London 1708. Makers mark for Richard Syng.
1712
Jonathan Newton
8572 Pair of Antique Queen Anne Silver Casters
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A matching pair of early English antique silver muffineers from the early 1700 Queen Anne period. Britannia standard silver*. With baluster shape and the desirable octagonal panelled design. These lovely castors are of heavy quality and feel good in the hand. The pull off tops are prettily pierced and engraved. Each is hand engraved to the front with a nautical crest of a sea horse and anchor. Total weight 537 grams, 17.2 troy ounces. Height 17 cms. London 1712. Makers mark for Jonathan Newton.
1712
Charles Adam
8682 Antique Queen Anne Silver Caster
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An early English antique silver muffineer from the early 1700 period. Britannia standard silver*. Large size. Baluster shape. Excellent plain style. The top has a bayonet fitting and has two panels of pretty piercing with hand engraving. The castor base is plain with just a hand engraved lion crest to the front. Weight 308 grams, 9.9 troy ounces. Height 20 cms. London 1712. Makers mark for Charles Adams.
1712
Ozee Lhommedieu
10312 Queen Anne Antique Silver Caster
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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.
1714
Charles Adam
8374 Antique Queen Anne Silver Caster
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An antique silver muffineer from the early 1700 Queen Anne period. Britannia standard silver*. With baluster shape and octagonal panelled design. This lovely castor is of heavy quality and feels good in the hand. The pull off top is simply pierced, the base is hand engraved. Weight 155 grams, 4.9 troy ounces. Height 14 cms. Diameter of base 5 cms. London 1714. Makers mark for Charles Adam.
1714
William Fawdery
9183 Set of 3 George I Silver Casters
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An excellent set of 3 antique silver castors with pierced removable tops. *Britannia standard silver. Classic plain style. Very heavy gauge. To the front of each there is a hand engraved bird crest. An unusual feature is that one small caster has been fitted with a plain inner sleeve; this is known as a “blind caster” which is the earliest form of mustard pot. Tall castor – height 17.5 cms. Pair of smaller castors – height 14 cms. Weight 623 grams, 20 troy ounces. London 1714. Maker William Fawdery.
1716
Charles Adam
8376 Antique George I Silver Caster
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An antique silver muffineer from the early 1700 period. Britannia standard silver*. Of baluster form. This lovely castor is of heavy quality and feels good in the hand. The pull off top has two panels of piercing, the base is plain with just a hand engraved crest to the front. Weight 153 grams, 4.9 troy ounces. Height 15 cms. Diameter of base 5 cms. London 1716. Makers mark for Charles Adam.
1717
Anthony Nelme
9689 George I Silver Caster
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Extra large size. This is a very heavy antique silver castor or muffineer in the desirable octagonal shape. Britannia standard silver* 95.8 grade. Bayonet fitting. The top has panels of pierced decoration. Uninscribed. Stamped underneath with initials H.H and an interesting scratchweight 32=6, presumably this was originally one of a pair (Sett). Weight 495 grams, 15.9 troy ounces. Height 21.5 cm. London 1717. Maker Anthony Nelme.
1718
John Chartier
9291 George I Octagonal Silver Caster
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Goliath size. This is a large and very heavy antique silver castor or muffineer in the desirable octagonal shape. Britannia standard silver* 95.8 grade. Bayonet fitting. The top has panels of pierced decoration. Uninscribed. Weight 432 grams, 13.8 troy ounces. Height 21 cm. London 1718. Maker John (Jean) Chartier.
1718
Charles Adam
8033 George I Silver Caster
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A rare early English silver castor of octagonal form. The top has decorative piercing. Excellent quality and patina. Weight 155 grams, 4.9 troy ounces. Height 15.5 cms. Diameter of base 5 cms. *Britannia standard silver. London 1718. Maker Charles Adam. Makes a good pair with #8028.
1725
Thomas Bamford
8028 George I Silver Caster
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A rare early English silver castor with octagonal form. The top has decorative piercing. Excellent quality and patina. Weight 161 grams, 5.1 troy ounces. Height 15 cms. Diameter of base 5 cms. Sterling silver. London 1725. Maker Thomas Bamford.
1726
Samuel Welder
9617 George I Silver Casters
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An early set of 3 antique sterling silver castors with pierced removable tops. Classic plain style. Each with a hand engraved crestof a dragon to the front. Weight 618 grams, 19.8 troy ounces. Tall castor – height 17.9 cm. Pair of smaller castors – height 14.7 cm. All matching. London 1726. Maker Samuel Wood.
1728
Samuel Welder
10214 Set of George II Silver Casters
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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.
1728
Gabriel Sleath
10283 George II Antique Silver Caster
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An excellent quality antique silver castor with a pierced removable top. Classic plain form. Heavy gauge and chunky style. Hand engraved to the front is a large cypher. Total weight 195 grams, 6.2 troy ounces. Height 16.3cm. Diameter of base 5.2cm. London 1728. Maker Gabriel Sleath. Sterling silver. 18th century.
1729
Thomas Farren
8995 Antique George II Silver Caster
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An early antique silver muffineer of baluster form on a cast foot. Britannia standard silver*. This lovely castor is of heavy quality and feels good in the hand. The hexagonal pull off top has alternate panels of decorative piercing. Uninscribed. Weight 239 grams, 7.6 troy ounces. Height 18 cms. London 1729. Makers mark for Thomas Farren.
1729
Samuel Welder
7245 Set of 3 George II Silver Casters
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A fantastic quality set of 3 antique sterling silver castors with pierced removable tops. Classic plain style. Very heavy gauge. Weight 739 grams, 23.7 troy ounces. Tall castor – height 18.5 cms. Pair of smaller castors – height 14 cms. London 1729. Maker Samuel Welder.
Circa 1730

7370 Pair of George II Silver Casters
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Incredible quality and weight. A pair of heavy antique sterling silver castors of octagonal shape. With a hand engraved coronet and fancy scroll work design to the front of each. One caster has a pierced top for pepper and the other has a blind cover for dry mustard. The quality of the detailed pierced work and engraving is exceptional and gives the overall impression that they are of Huguenot manufacture and of an outstanding maker such as Paul de Lamerie. Excellent colour. Weight 640 grams, 20.5 troy ounces. Height 16 cms. Fully marked underneath for London 1730. No makers mark.
1732
Henry Miller I
6364 Pair of George II Casters
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An interesting pair of early English silver castors of simple plain shape and having an engraved crest of a bird to the front. They are both matching but there is an unusual feature – one has a decorative pierced top and the other has an unpierced and engraved top. This is known as a blind caster which is the earliest form of mustard pot. Weight 264 grams, 8.4 troy ounces. Height 13 cms. London 1732. Maker Henry Miller I
1732
Paul Crespin
10103 Set of George II Antique Silver Casters
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A fantastic quality set of antique sterling silver castors made by the master silversmith Paul Crespin. Classic plain style with pierced removable tops. Extremely large size, thick gauge and heavy in the hand. An unusual feature is that one small caster has been fitted with a plain inner sleeve, this is known as a “blind caster”, the earliest form of mustard pot. Height 21.5cm and 16.6cm. Weight 1056 grams, 33.9 troy ounces. London 1732 (large), 1733 (small). Maker Paul Crespin.
1733
Francis Spilsbury
9861 George II Silver Caster
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A charming antique silver caster of plain baluster form with a pierced pull off cover. Good colour. To the front is the hand engraved crest of a falcon over a plume of five ostrich feathers/ducal crown. London 1733. Made by Francis Spilsbury. Sterling silver.
1735

9186 George II Silver Caster
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A charming antique sterling silver castor of plain baluster form with a pull off cover pierced and criss-cross engraved. Good colour. Uninscribed. Owners initials etched below. Weight 164 grams, 5.2 troy ounces. Height 15 cms. London 1735. Maker unidentified.
1738 - 1739
Samuel Wood
6180 Set of 3 George II Silver Castors
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A lovely matching set of early antique sterling silver casters of plain baluster shape and having pierced and panelled tops. Engraved to the front of the large caster there is an armorial and to the 2 smaller castors there is a crest of a bird. Total weight 303 grams, 9.7 troy ounces. Height 19.5/15 cms. Diameter of base 6.5/4.5 cms. London 1738 (large castor), 1739 (both smaller castors). Maker Sam Wood.
1746
Samuel Wood
6354 Set of George II Silver Casters by Sam Wood
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A handsome set of 3 antique silver castors with pierced removable tops. Classic plain style. Weight 474 grams, 15.2 troy ounces. Tall castor – height 17 cms, London 1753. Pair of smaller castors – height 14.8 cms, London 1746. Maker Sam Wood. Sterling silver
1748
Samuel Wood
9865 George II Silver Casters
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A pair of antique silver casters, or tall peppers, of plain baluster form with detachable pierced tops. Classic style. Hand engraved to each is the crest of a lion. Total weight 263 grams, 8.4 troy ounces. Height 15cm. London 1748. Maker Samuel Wood. Sterling silver.
1751
Samuel Wood
8314 Set of 3 George II Silver Casters
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An excellent quality set of 3 antique sterling silver castors of baluster form. Classic plain style. The removable tops have pierced foliate scroll-work and spiral fluting. Each caster has a hand engraved coat of arms within a rococo cartouche. Very heavy gauge silver. Weight 1263 grams, 40.6 troy ounces. Tall castor – height 22 cms. Pair of smaller castors – height 18.25 cms. London 1751. Maker Samuel Wood, well known for his silver casters.