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

History of the Cruet Frame

1643
Arent Verstege
10201 Antique Dutch Silver Jug
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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.
Circa 1680

9855 17th Century Continental Silver Pomander
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A fascinating piece of history contained in a small silver globe. This antique silver pomander of spherical form has all-over chased decoration of flowers & leaf-scrolls in low relief. The screw top unturns to release the six numbered, hinged segments with sliding covers, the interior with hand engraved flowers. The foot unscrews to reveal a secret hollow compartment. Weight 89 grams, 2.8 troy ounces. Height 6.5cm. Spread 9cm fully extended. The pomander is made of unmarked silver It is quite usual for a small article of this date to be unmarked. Probably Dutch. Circa 1680.
1690

9997 William & Mary Antique Silver Nutmeg Grater
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A charming little late 17^th 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.
1704
David Willaume
9709 Queen Anne Silver Cruet
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A rare early English silver oil and vinegar stand. *Britannia standard silver. Excellent weight and good Huguenot maker. The cut crystal bottles have detachable silver tops. The frame has a round carrying handle and side supports for the bottle tops. The top of the frame has a hand engraved armorial which matches those on the bottle tops. Total weight of silver 500 grams, 16 troy ounces. Height 21cm. Frame measures 17cm x 8.5cm. London 1704. Maker David Willaume I.
1708
Jacob Margas
9486 Antique Queen Anne Silver Cruet
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A rare early English antique silver cruet set with a matching set of 3 silver castors and 2 silver and faceted crystal oil and vinegar bottles. The cinquefoil frame has 4 ball feet. Britannia standard silver*. The first cruet stands had a much simpler design which evolved several years later into the more elaborate Warwick cruet shape with rococo cartouche and shell feet. Total weight of silver 1307 grams, 42 troy ounces. Castors height 16 and 10.5cm. Bottles height 17cm. Height to top of handle 16cm. London 1708. Maker Jacob Margas.
1716
Louys Cuny
8740 Antique George I Silver Cruet
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A rare early English silver cruet with two hexagonal bottles for oil and vinegar and a small single hexagonal castor or pepperette. Excellent weight. Good Huguenot maker. The frame has a shaped side carrying handle, and side supports for the bottle tops and pepperette. Total weight of silver 840 grams, 27 troy ounces. Height 18 cms. Stand London 1716 (Britannia standard silver*), maker Louys Cuny. Pepperette, made later to match, dated London 1727 (sterling silver), makers mark rubbed. His most unusual piece of work is probably the curious triangle salt of the Upholders (upholsterers) Company.
1725
Samuel Welder
7797 George I Silver Warwick Cruet
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A rare early English antique sterling silver cruet set with a matching set of 3 silver castors with hand engraved armorials and 2 silver and faceted crystal oil and vinegar bottles. The cinquefoil frame has 4 ball feet and a simple circular shaped cartouche, with the same hand engraved armorial, to the front. The first cruets stands had a much simpler design which evolved several years later into the more elaborate Warwick cruet shape with rococo cartouche and shell feet. Total weight of silver 832 grams, 26.7 troy ounces. Castors height 16 and 12 cms. Bottles height 16.5 cms. Height to top of handle 18 cms. London 1725. Maker Sam Welder.
1736
Thomas Bamford
8733 George II Silver Warwick Cruet
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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 to the front (uninscribed). Total weight of silver 1385 grams, 44.5 troy ounces. Caster height 19 and 15 cms. Bottle height 19 cms. London 1736. All by the same maker Thomas Bamford, specialist castor maker.
1750
Samuel Wood
6199 George II Silver Warwick Cruet
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A fantastic antique sterling silver cruet set with a matching set of 3 silver castors engraved with armorials and 2 crested silver and faceted glass oil and vinegar bottles. The cinquefoil frame has 4 shell feet and a shaped decorative cartouche, with matching armorial, to the front. Total weight of silver 1814 grams, 58.3 troy ounces. Castors height 18.5 and 16 cms. Bottles height 15 cms. London 1750. Maker Sam Wood.

The silver bottle tops are unmarked, they are crested and the tops fit perfectly into the silver frame.
There is a hand engraved armorial on the 3 castors and cartouche of the frame and a crest on the top of the oli and vinegar bottles.
1750 - 1751
Jabez Daniell
8082 George II Silver Warwick Cruet
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A handsome antique sterling 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. Total weight of silver 1143 grams, 36.7 troy ounces. Caster height 16.5 and 13 cms. Bottles height 16.25 cms. London 1750/1. All by the same maker Jabez Daniel, who later worked with James Mince.
1750
Samuel Wood
10228 George II Antique Silver Oil and Vinegar Set
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A good antique silver condiment set with broad shell feet and side carrying handle. The heavy silver frame has a handsome rococo cartouche with a hand engraved armorial. The cut crystal bottles have detachable silver tops which fit onto the side rings when the bottles are in use. Weight of stand and silver tops 524 grams, 16.8 troy oz. Total height 21.4cm. Stand width 20.3cm. Bottle height 18.3cm. London 1750. Maker Sam Wood. Sterling silver. 18th century.
1752
Samuel Wood
8637 George II Silver Warwick Cruet
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An excellent 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 to the front with a hand engraved monogram. The pull off castor tops are prettily pierced and engraved. Total weight of silver 1189 grams, 38.2 troy ounces. Caster height 17 and 13.5 cms. Bottles height 17 cms. London 1752. All by the same maker Samuel Wood, known for his silver casters.
1753 - 1780
Adam Graham
6002 George III Scottish Silver Oil and Vinegar Set
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A rare early antique Glasgow silver condiment set consisting of 2 heavily faceted crystal bottles with silver mounts (unmarked) in a heavy sterling silver frame with handsome rococo cartouche and broad shell feet. Either side are ring supports for the bottle tops. Weight of stand 549 grams, 17.6 troy ounces. Total height 22 cms. Stand width 20.75 cms. Bottle height 9 cms, diameter of base 5.5 cms. Stamped underneath with makers mark for Adam Graham 1763 – 1780.
1754
Jabez Daniell
9815 George II Silver Oil and Vinegar Set
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A good antique silver condiment set for pouring oil and vinegar. The heavy silver frame has a handsome rococo cartouche with monogram and stands on broad shell feet. The 2 early glass bottles have silver mounts with hinged lids. The silver decoration of all three pieces is fully matching and everything fits together.There is a small ring to the front, too small for a bottle, which probably is part of the original design. Weight of stand 513 grams, 16.4 troy ounces. Total height 23.5cm. Stand width 16cm. Bottle height 20cm. London 1754. Maker Jabez Daniell. Sterling silver.
1759
John Delmester
7484 George II Silver Warwick Cruet
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A handsome antique sterling silver cruet set with a matching set of 3 silver castors with hand engraved crests and 2 silver and faceted crystal oil and vinegar bottles. The cinquefoil frame has 4 shell feet and a shaped decorative cartouche, with a hand engraved armorial, to the front. Total weight of silver 350 grams, 11.2 troy ounces. Castors height 16 and 13 cms. Bottles height 16 cms. Height to top of handle 22 cms. London 1759. Maker John Delmester.
1761
John Delmester
9300 George III Antique Silver Warwick Cruet
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A handsome antique 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. 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. Total weight of silver 1498 grams, 48.1 troy ounces. Caster height 19.5 and 16 cm, bottle height 18.3 cm, each with a matching hand engraved crest. Casters London 1764, frame London 1761. Maker John Delmester.
Circa 1781

8576 Antique French Silver Oil and Vinegar Set
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An excellent quality antique silver condiment bottle set. The 2 handled stand has a plain style and shaped reeded borders. The cut crystal oil and vinegar bottles have a circular form and pretty flower and leaf cutting. The heavy silver bottle tops fit snugly and sit into the holders on the side of the stand when the bottles are in use. Weight of frame and bottle tops 674 grams, 21.6 troy ounces. Stand measures – spread 27.5 cms, length 21.5 cms, width 16.2 cms. Total height 22 cms. Marked on the base of the stand with French silver stamps 1781-1789.
1785

8062 Antique French Silver Oil and Vinegar Set
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An excellent quality antique silver condiment bottle set. The boat shaped stand has rope twist borders and decorative pierced ends with applied leaf and grape mounts. The cut crystal oil and vinegar bottles have faceted necks and pretty raised bow ornaments. The heavy silver bottle tops fit snugly and sit into the holders on the side of the stand when the bottles are in use. There is a good armorial engraved within the cartouche on the front of the stand. Weight of frame 652 grams, 20.9 troy ounces. Stand measures – length 31 cms, width 17 cms. Total height 20 cms. Marked on every piece with French silver stamps for Paris 1785.
1792
Robert Hennell II
9667 George III Silver Cruet
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An elegant antique silver condiment set in the Adam style, the boat shaped silver stand having 4 original and matching cut crystal bottles, a pair of oil and vinegar bottle with silver hinged tops and a mustard pot with lift off lid. The cruet frame has a wooden base. Stand measures 24 x 15.5cm, height 25cm. All pieces marked London 1792. . Sterling silver. Maker Robert Hennell.
1793
Robert Hennell I
5212 Georgian Silver Cruet
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A rare and very elegant antique silver condiment set in the Adam style, the beautiful boat shaped silver stand having 5 original and matching cut crystal bottles – a pair of glass and silver castors, a pair of oil and vinegar bottle with silver hinged tops and a mustard pot with lift off crystal lid. Weight of silver stand 605 grams, 19.4 troy ounces. Stand measures 30 x 17 cms, height 26 cms. All pieces marked London 1793. Maker Robert Hennell.
1801 - 1899

7873 Antique Silver Betel Box
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An ornate antique silver box having 3 compartments with double hinged lids. The body is heavily chased with flowers and leaves and the handles are formed as a flower head and leaf. Excellent quality and weight. The tall centre finial acts as a locking mechanism and the lids won’t open until this has been unscrewed and removed. Unmarked silver. Circa 19th century. Probably Indian.
1811
John Robins
8032 Georgian Silver Nutmeg Grater
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A plain style antique sterling silver nutmeg grater of cylindrical style. Open the lid and the box opens out to use the steel grater. Height when closed 6.5 cm. Top measures 3 x 2.5 cm. London 1811. Maker John Robins.
1826 - 1827
Charles & John Fry
8396 Georgian Silver Cruet Set
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An unusual antique sterling silver condiment set with attractive chunky shape. Half moon quatrefoil design with foliate mounted handle. With the original cut crystal bottles each standing on a pedestal foot and with star cut base. The set consists of 2 oil and vinegar bottles with stoppers, and 2 salt and mustard pots with silver tops. Weight of frame 799 grams, 25.6 troy ounces. Total height 20 cms. Height of bottles 17 cms, 14 cms. Stand measures – length 25.5 cms, spread across handle 18 cms. London 1826 and 1827. Maker John Fry.
1835
Charles Reily & George Storer
9264 Antique Silver Condiment Set
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A handsome antique sterling silver cruet with a set of 8 matching bottles. Heavy cut crystal. All original. The rectangular frame has splay feet and a decorative border. The salt and mustard pots have sterling silver tops with pretty acorn finials and the oil and vinegar bottles have cut glass stoppers. Height to top of handle 23 cms, base 24 x 7 cms. All silver pieces London 1835. Maker Reily & Storer.
Circa 1840
Luigi Sciolet
10224 Italian Antique Silver Pot
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A curious little silver container in the form of a small teapot with a serpent spout and handle, four heavy cast eagle feet, and the lid finial modelled as a swan. 19^th century. Fantastic decorative quality and heavy gauge silver. Likely to be an oil dispenser (oliera), possibly to fill something like a kettle spirit lamp. Contains 320ml. Weight 519 grams, 16.6 troy ounces. Length 18.5cm from spout to handle. Rome, Italy. Maker Luigi Sciolet. Circa 1840.
Circa 1850

8601 Antique German Silver Spice Tower
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A rare antique Berlin silver spice box with attractive scroll filigree centre decoration and a hinged door. Weight 106 grams, 4.2 troy ounces. Height 22 cms. Diameter of base 5.5 cms. Marked on the edge of the base with German silver marks for Berlin. Mid 19th century. Judaica.
Circa 1850

9016 Antique Turkish Silver Incense Burner
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A good quality 19th century silver incense burner with part gilt finish. The hinged lid is pierced and has a decorative finial. The body has unusual hand engraving of mythological figures on a flower and foliate background. Weight 372 grams, 11.9 troy ounces. Height 18 cm. Diameter of base 8.4 cm. Stamped with tughra and sahh marks, and assay scrapes. Tughra of Sultan Abdulmejid I (1839-1861). 900 standard silver.Turkish circa 1850.
1854
John Figg
9830 Antique Silver Salt and Pepper Set
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A good quality antique silver salt and pepper condiment set in a gilt silver frame with carrying handle. Simple classical form with beaded borders and little shaped feet. The bottles are the original Bristol blue cut glass. The salt cellar has a hinged cover, the pepperette has the standard lift off top. Weight of stand 97 grams (without bottles), 3.1 troy ounces. Height 11cm. Width of stand 10cm. London 1854. Maker John Figg. The accompanying salt spoon is London 1832 by Robert Hennell II. Sterling silver.
1867 - 1871
Edward Charles Brown
8944 Antique Silver Owl Condiment Set
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A rare set of antique sterling silver owl condiments. All in a fitted case, retailed by Asprey. The matching set consists of an owl sugar caster, owl salt shaker and pair of owl peppers. All with glass button eyes and finely chased decorative detail. Castor – 102 grams, 3.2 troy ounces, height 11 cms. Salt – 41 grams, 1.3 troy ounces, height 7.5 cms. Peppers – 57 grams (pair), 1,8 troy ounces, height 6 cms. All London 1867/71 and same maker Charles Edward Brown.
1874
Frederick Brasted
5785 George III Silver Condiment Set
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A classic design antique sterling silver cruet with a set of 8 matching bottles. The oval cruet basket has a pierced gallery with pretty engraved swags of flowers and leaves. The salt and mustard pots have sterling silver tops and the oil and vinegar bottles have an attractive set of silver labels. Height to top of handle 23 cms, base 18.5 x 12 cms. Cruet frame Sheffield 1786, maker WC. Salt pot with silver hallmarks (London 1782, maker rubbed). Mustard top has a replacement silver top London 1874, maker Frederick Brasted.
1884
John Johnson & Alfred Springthorpe
9008 Antique Silver Novelty Condiment Set
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An unusual combination sterling silver condiment set which can be slotted together into the form of a milk churn. The salt, pepper and mustard pot pull apart for use separately. Each piece is expertly modelled with coopered banding, perfectly fitting lids and bright gilding. The mustard pot has an integral blue glass liner. Weight (including glass liner) 257 grams, 8.2 troy ounces. Height assembled 18.2 cms. Diameter 4.2 cms (top), 6.4 cms (base). London 1884. Makers John Johnson & Alfred Springthorpe.
Circa 1890

8513 Antique Chinese Silver Rosewater Sprinkler
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A late 19th century Chinese export silver rose water sprinkler. The lower body and foot are finely chased with repousse floral decoration, and the tall slender top has a cast and applied bird with the little sprinkler holes. Weight 70 grams, 2.2 troy ounces. Height 16.5 cms. Stamped underneath with Chinese silver marks and makers mark MK.