Description

An excellent late 17th century antique silver muffineer with a plain styled gadrooned base. The traditional lighthouse design with a bayonet fitting is typical of these very early shakers. The top has beautiful hand engraving with simple piercing; the holes are quite large as crushed loaf sugar was still in use at this early date. Excellent size and heavy quality, it feels good in the hand. Lovely patina. Engraved owner’s initials below “KSS”.

Weight 307g, 9.8 troy oz
Height 19.2cm. Diameter of base 8.3cm
London 1699
Maker Francis Garthorn
Britannia standard silver. Higher grade purity 95.8%.

Marks. Stamped with full English silver hallmarks to the body, lion and maker’s mark to the top.

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. In 1696 the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent with new hallmarks – “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.

This useful antique sugar shaker is in very good condition. Fully functional and all matching. Excellent colour and weight.

Maker: Francis Garthorne

Francis Garthorne, London silversmith, described as Free of the Girdlers Company in the entry of his mark. This company's freemen's list survives only from 1694 so unfortunately Francis we can't identify him from this. His Britannia mark entered as largeworker was presumably entered in 1697. After the return of Sterling he is assumed to have returned to his pre-1697 mark. George Garthorne, presumably a relative, possibly a brother, was turned over to Francis during his apprenticeship circa 1670.

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