Description

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.

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.

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 less frequently used nowadays.

This useful antique sugar shaker is in very good condition. Fully functional and all matching. Excellent weight. Stamped with clear English silver hallmarks underneath, lion passant to the top. The engraved decoration is later done, probably 19th century. There is a repair to the caster top (on the inside edge) – see photo. 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.

Maker: Charles Adam

Charles Adam, apprenticed to Francis Archbold 1682, entered his first mark as large worker February 1703. Specialist castermaker. Thomas Bamford, also castermaker, was apprentice to Charles in 1703.

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