Description

An excellent set of 3 antique silver castors with pierced removable tops. 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 John Fawdery I.
Britannia standard silver, 95.8% purity.

Marks. Each is stamped with a set of English silver hallmarks, the bases have a full set, the tops have the leopard and makers mark, 1 top has the leopard mark only.

Literature: 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.

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 pure. 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.