Cruet Sets
Single casters for sugar or pepper were made from the 1680’s onwards however the earliest cruet frames are not found before 1700. These usually contained 3 castors and 2 glass bottles and could be passed around the table from guest to guest. This form is generally known as the “Warwick” cruet after the stand created by Anthony Nelme in 1715 for the Duke of Warwick. At this early date the two bottle oil and vinegar frame also existed although this form was more popular on the continent.
Later, as the 18th century progressed, the number of bottles could be as many as 8 or 10 which would have contained a variety of sauces of the period such as soy, ketchup, tarragon etc. The bottles may have also had little sauce labels to identify the contents.
History of the Cruet Frame
The turn of the 1700’s saw a dramatic change in the way that food and drinking beverages were served in this country. At that time, many of the medieval traditions to do with eating and drinking were being replaced by the fashion for dining “a la francaise”, a style which was swiftly gaining popularity and introduced many new dishes such as soups, stews and terrines. All the dishes for each course were placed simultaneously on the table – guests could help themselves and required less assistance from servants. This, plus the arrival of new drinking beverages tea, coffee and chocolate, created a demand for many exciting new types of silverware and the silversmiths’ shops were quick to make available the latest vessels and designs. Silver tableware had now become the main source of table decoration.
In order to accommodate large scale formal dining the fashionable tables of the aristocracy would have had a “surtout”, an elaborate table centrepiece fitted with tureens, dishes, cruet stands, maybe even candle branches, whereas the dining tables of the gentry and prosperous middle classes would have featured a multi-purpose condiment stand to hold the glass bottles for oil and vinegar and silver casters for sugar and spices.
Cruet Sets
Single casters for sugar or pepper were made from the 1680’s onwards however the earliest cruet frames are not found before 1700. These usually contained 3 castors and 2 glass bottles and could be passed around the table from guest to guest. This form is generally known as the “Warwick” cruet after the stand created by Anthony Nelme in 1715 for the Duke of Warwick. At this early date the two bottle oil and vinegar frame also existed although this form was more popular on the continent.
Later, as the 18th century progressed, the number of bottles could be as many as 8 or 10 which would have contained a variety of sauces of the period such as soy, ketchup, tarragon etc. The bottles may have also had little sauce labels to identify the contents.
History of the Cruet Frame
The turn of the 1700’s saw a dramatic change in the way that food and drinking beverages were served in this country. At that time, many of the medieval traditions to do with eating and drinking were being replaced by the fashion for dining “a la francaise”, a style which was swiftly gaining popularity and introduced many new dishes such as soups, stews and terrines. All the dishes for each course were placed simultaneously on the table – guests could help themselves and required less assistance from servants. This, plus the arrival of new drinking beverages tea, coffee and chocolate, created a demand for many exciting new types of silverware and the silversmiths’ shops were quick to make available the latest vessels and designs. Silver tableware had now become the main source of table decoration.
In order to accommodate large scale formal dining the fashionable tables of the aristocracy would have had a “surtout”, an elaborate table centrepiece fitted with tureens, dishes, cruet stands, maybe even candle branches, whereas the dining tables of the gentry and prosperous middle classes would have featured a multi-purpose condiment stand to hold the glass bottles for oil and vinegar and silver casters for sugar and spices.
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1643
Arent Verstege
10201 Antique Dutch Silver Jug
£3,350
An extremely rare antique silver jug dating from the 1600’s with a cast, shaped handle and superb decoration with embossed cherubs’ heads and bunches of fruit. Very heavy quality and feels good in the hand. Deep bright gilding throughout. Originally an altar cruet jug for wine and/or water. Weight 226 grams, 7.2 troy ounces. Height 15cm. Spread 10.3cm. Foot diameter 6.7cm. Haarlem 1643. Maker Arent Verstege. 17th century.
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1690
9997 William & Mary Antique Silver Nutmeg Grater
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A charming little late 17th century silver nutmeg grater of teardrop form, one side fitted with a serrated rasp. Each side has a hinged lid with stand-away hinge. Both covers are hand engraved with simple foliate decoration. Weight 29 grams, 0.9 troy ounce. Height 2.5 cm. Top 3.7 x 2.9 cm. Total spread across the covers 8.3cm. Unmarked silver. English. Circa 1690.
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1738
Samuel Wood
10327 George II Silver Warwick Cruet
£3,350
A handsome antique silver cruet set with a matching set of 3 silver casters and 2 silver and faceted crystal oil and vinegar bottles. The cinquefoil frame has 4 shell feet and a shaped decorative cartouche to the front with a hand engraved armorial. Each caster and bottle bears the same matching crest. Total weight of silver 1288 grams, 41.4 troy ounces. Caster height 17.75cm and 14cm. Bottle height 17cm. London 1738. Maker Samuel Wood, known for his silver casters.
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Circa 1750
10274 George II Antique Silver Oil and Vinegar Set
£1,475
A good quality Irish antique silver condiment set with broad shell feet and a carrying handle. Very heavy weight and thick gauge silver. The silver frame has a handsome wheatsheaf and shell design cartouche containing an unusual hand engraved armorial of “dancing pigs below 2 axes”, possibly for one of the Irish Mac Sweeney lines The cut crystal bottles are very beautiful and have detachable silver tops which fit onto the side rings when the bottles are in use.
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1751
Elizabeth Godfrey
9913 George II Silver Cruet Set
£3,950
A rare early English silver cruet with two bottles for oil and vinegar and a small silver castor or pepperette. Excellent weight and large size. The heavy cut crystal bottles have multi-faceted cut decoration, typical of the period. The silver frame has an acanthus scroll carrying handle and side supports for the bottle tops and pepperette. The top of the frame has a hand engraved armorial which matches those on the bottle tops. Total weight of silver 955 grams, 30.7 troy ounces. Height 23.5cm (overall), 20.7cm (bottle), 9.5cm (pepper). Base measures 19.3 x 16.3cm. London 1751. Maker Elizabeth Godfrey, a highly respected Huguenot lady silversmith.
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1762
John Delmester
9155 George III Antique Silver Warwick Cruet
£3,350
A handsome antique sterling silver cruet set with a matching set of 3 silver casters and 2 silver topped and faceted crystal oil and vinegar bottles. The cinquefoil frame has 4 shell feet and a shaped decorative cartouche containing a hand engraved armorial. Total weight of silver 1214 grams, 39 troy ounces. Caster height 17 and 13.5 cms, bottle height 19 cms, each with a matching hand engraved crest. Casters and frame London 1762. Maker John Delmester.
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Circa 1890
9629 Antique German Silver Spice Tower
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Of Jewish interest. A large continental silver spice box in the form of a medieval tower with a turret surmounted by a cockerel. All over gilded. The top 2 sections, each containing a bell, sit above the spice box which has pierced and engraved decoration. The box has a drop-down door with scroll catch. Weight 286 grams, 9.1 troy ounces. Height 32 cm. Continental silver marks. Possibly Hanau, Germany. Circa 1890.
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1933 - 1937
9735 Antique Silver Rabbit Condiment Set
£6,750
A fabulous set of 5 silver rabbit condiments. Excellent quality and vivid modelling. Heavy cast silver. Very rare. The bunny rabbits (or hares) are large and chunky and have coloured bead eyes. The set consists of a pair of peppers, a pair of salts and a mustard pot with a hinged lid. Total weight 884 grams, 28.4 troy oz. Salts and Peppers – height 10cm. Mustard pot – height 3.5cm, length 9.6cm. All matching. London 1933 and 1937. Maker F & H Ltd. Sterling silver.
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Circa 1912
Wakely & Wheeler
7080 Antique Silver Grape Scissors
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An elegant pair of sterling silver grape shears in the original velvet lined box. Very smart plain design. Weight 77 grams, 2.4 troy ounces. Length 7 cm. London 1912. Maker Wakeley & Wheeler.
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1829
S Roberts & Co
8433 Georgian Silver Tankard
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A very decorative flat top lidded tankard with excellent embossed decoration of flowers, leaves and scrolls in deep relief. With straight sides and a pretty pierced thumb piece. Contains 1100 ml. Weight 818 grams, 26.3 troy ounces. Height 17 cms (top of thumb piece). Diameter inside top 11.6 cms. Sheffield 1829. Maker S Roberts & Co.
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1724
Richard Gines
8508 George I Silver Lidded Tankard
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An unusual antique sterling silver tankard with domed lid and straight tapering form with coopered rings to the body and strapwork hinge decoration. Very small size, probably for a lady. Hand engraved to the front is the crest of a lion within a decorative cartouche. Owners initials engraved to the handle. Contains 500 ml. Weight 416 grams, 13.3 troy ounces. Height 14.3 cms. Spread 13 cms. Diameter of top 9 cms, base 9.5 cms. English silver hallmarks for London 1724. Maker Richard Gines.
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1738
John Jacob
9977 George II Antique Silver Kettle
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A handsome antique sterling silver samovar of globular form having a shaped folding handle with leather finish. Hand engraved to the front is a large armorial within a decorative cartouche there is a matching crest on the reservoir lid and well. The matching stand has a cut-work frieze and stands on large shell feet, it has a removable burner well with push on top. Contains 1550 ml. Weight 1695 grams, 54.5 troy ounces. Total height (handle extended) 31.5cm, height (handle folded) 23.5cm. Spread 22.5cm. London 1738. Maker John Jacob. Sterling silver.
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