waxantiques

Sugar

Browse our collection of antique silver Sugar Bowls, Baskets and Casters, some of which date back to the late 17th century when tea started to become a domestic commodity.

Early sugar bowls, like the small size teapot, were of small capacity due to the rarity of tea. Small circular bowls from the late 17th century can occasionally be found, these were probably tea bowls originally but by 1710 the sugar bowl started to appear. These often had a cover which could be inverted for use as a saucer or spoon tray. Usually these early sugar bowls are round however octagonal examples are very rare and extremely desirable. Around 1730 larger bowls were introduced, possibly for slops.
By the 1760s the swing handled sugar baskets and sweetmeat baskets were available.

Cream Pails c.1760-1820 are small silver containers with top or side handle which are useful for both sugar or cream.

Sugar Casters. Antique Silver Casters didn’t become common household objects until the late 17th century. 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 earlier Sugar Castors had larger holes necessary for crushed sugar.

The Sugar Vase is so called because there are sets of this type known, with companion sugar sifters, which hook over the scroll handles when not in use. They often come in sets of three of which two would be used as tea caddies and another one for sugar. Nowadays these are ideal for use with flowers.

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Sugar

Browse our collection of antique silver Sugar Bowls, Baskets and Casters, some of which date back to the late 17th century when tea started to become a domestic commodity.

Early sugar bowls, like the small size teapot, were of small capacity due to the rarity of tea. Small circular bowls from the late 17th century can occasionally be found, these were probably tea bowls originally but by 1710 the sugar bowl started to appear. These often had a cover which could be inverted for use as a saucer or spoon tray. Usually these early sugar bowls are round however octagonal examples are very rare and extremely desirable. Around 1730 larger bowls were introduced, possibly for slops.
By the 1760s the swing handled sugar baskets and sweetmeat baskets were available.

Cream Pails c.1760-1820 are small silver containers with top or side handle which are useful for both sugar or cream.

Sugar Casters. Antique Silver Casters didn’t become common household objects until the late 17th century. 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 earlier Sugar Castors had larger holes necessary for crushed sugar.

The Sugar Vase is so called because there are sets of this type known, with companion sugar sifters, which hook over the scroll handles when not in use. They often come in sets of three of which two would be used as tea caddies and another one for sugar. Nowadays these are ideal for use with flowers.

  • 1675 - 1679

    Marx Schaller

    9789 Antique German Silver Tea Cannister

    £6,500

    A 17th century German parcel-gilt silver caddy of barrel shape. With a screw top lid and drop ring handle. Beautifully made and very tactile to hold. Suitable for tea and sugar. Raised on four ball feet, the box is decorated throughout with silver lobes against a matted gilt background. Weight 321 grams, 10.3 troy ounces. Height 11.5cm (to the top), 15cm (to top of handle). Stamped on the top and underside of body with German silver marks and assay scrape for Augsburg, Germany. Maker Marx Schaller II. Circa 1675-79. See Rosenburg German silver marks for Augsburg page 127.

  • 1738

    Samuel Wood

    10327 George II Silver Warwick Cruet

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    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.

  • 1748

    Samuel Taylor

    9867 George II Covered Sugar Bowl

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    A rare antique sterling silver covered sugar bowl of circular form on a small spreading foot. Excellent plain design, typical of the period. Good colour. In the early 18th century sugar bowls or sugar boxes nearly always had covers which, when reversed, could be used as a saucer or spoon tray. Weight 219 grams, 7.0 troy ounces. Total height 9cm. Bowl diameter 9.7cm. London 1748. Maker probably Samuel Taylor a specialist tea caddy and sugar bowl maker.

  • 1751

    John Jacob

    9784 George II Silver Caddies in a Box

    £11,750

    A stunning quality set of antique silver tea caddies and covered sugar bowl in a later fitted lockable tortoiseshell box with silver mounts. Very heavy gauge, cast silver. The deeply embossed and chased silver decoration is particularly attractive and each piece has a cartouche with a lion crest to the front. The two baluster shaped caddies, for green and black tea, have lift off tops. The bowl has a hinged lid with a bouquet of flowers finial. Total weight of 3 boxes 1,373 grams, 44 troy ounces. Tea caddy height 16.5cm. Sugar bowl height 15.5cm. London 1751. Maker John Jacobs, of Hugeunot origin. The box handle is hallmarked for London 1805, maker “JS”. Sterling silver.

  • 1752

    Samuel Herbert And Company

    9504 George II Silver Caddies in a Box

    £6,750

    An excellent quality pair of antique sterling silver tea caddies and matching covered sugar bowl with gilt interior. All with cast silver bird finials and contained in a fitted Sheraton period wooden box with coloured flower and foliage inlays. The deeply embossed and chased silver decoration is particularly attractive and each caddy has a fine hand engraved coat of arms to the front. Heavy weight. The two caddies, for green and black tea, have the original lift off tops now drilled with holes to convert them into sugar shakers (muffinieres). Total weight of 3 boxes 882 grams, 28.3 troy ounces. Sugar casters height 15.5cm. Sugar bowl height 14cm, diameter 10.3cm. London 1752. Maker S Herbert & Co..

  • 1754

    Samuel Taylor

    9723 George II Silver Sugar Bowl

    £675

    An antique silver bowl with extensive embossed decoration of flowers, leaves and scrolls. To the front is a rococo design cartouche – uninscribed. Superb quality and heavy gauge silver. No lid. Weight 222g, 7.1 troy oz. Height 8.4cm. Diameter 10.5cm
    . London 1754. Maker Samuel Taylor. Sterling silver.

  • 1766

    Richard Palmer

    8293 George III Silver Caster

    £450

    A plain style antique silver castor with pierced top and spiral finial. Solid chunky weight and feels good in the hand. The top is fitted with an inner lining to reduce the size of the holes making the caster more suitable for modern day (finer ground) condiments.  Weight 177 grams, 5.6 troy ounces. Height 14.8 cms. London 1766. Maker Richard Palmer. Sterling silver.

     

  • Circa 1780

    Francesco Arnaud

    10387 Maltese Antique Silver Sugar Bowl and Cover

    £3,350

    An attractive 18th century antique silver sugar box of inverted pear form with a pull off dome cover. The fluted tapering body is raised on three cast hoof feet. Weight 180g, 5.7 troy oz. Height 12.2cm. Spread across the body 10cm. Malta circa 1780, Rohan Period (1775-97). Maker Francesco Arnaud.

  • 1796

    Henry Chawner And John Emes

    7063 George III Sugar Basket

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    A classic design antique sterling silver bonbon basket with swing handle and pedestal foot. Very attractive oval boat shape. Pretty bright cut engraving to the body and foot and there is a decorative cartouche to the front and back (uninscribed). Original gilt interior. Weight 192 grams, 6.1 troy ounces. Height 9.5 cms (15 cms to top of handle). Length 12.75 cms. Width 8.5 cms. London 1796. Maker Henry Chawner and John Emes.

  • 1834

    William Barber

    9979 Antique Silver Bowl

    £750

    A magnificent antique sterling silver cream bowl with a bright gilt interior; the two side handles formed as intertwined serpents. To the front and back there are classical scenes of the god Neptune with sea horses and mermen. Weight 526 grams, 16.9 troy ounces. Height 8.5cm. Rim diameter 13.4cm. Spread 19cm. London 1834. Maker William Barber. Sterling silver.

  • 1877

    Barnabas Blackburn

    6009 Victorian Silver Tongs

    £150

    An antique pair of sterling silver tongs beautifully modelled with claw nips.
    Weight 65 grams, 2 troy ounces. Length 14.5 cms. London 1877. Maker Barnabas Blackburn.

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  • 1926

    Crichton Brothers

    9218 Antique Silver Castor

    £950

    A fine quality sterling silver sugar castor in the George II Huguenot style. Cast silver. The chased detail is superb. The pierced pull off top is engraved with face masks and baskets of flowers. The body has dolphin supports, ribbon and reed borders, and shell motifs. Weight 410 grams, 13.1 troy ounces. Height 18 cms. London 1926. Maker Crichton Brothers who specialised in fine quality copies of early English silver.

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