Description

A late 17th century antique sterling silver muffineer in the traditional lighthouse design with a bayonet fitting, so typical of these very early casters. This lovely castor is of heavy quality and feels good in the hand. The base is plain styled with fluted borders, the top is simply pierced, the holes are quite large as crushed loaf sugar was still in use at this early date. Uninscribed.

Weight 310 grams, 9.9 troy ounces.
Height 20 cm. Diameter of base 8.5 cm.
London 1690.
Maker Thomas Brydon (overstruck) – see Jacksons page 148, bottom mark.

Marks. Stamped with clear English silver hallmarks underneath, lion passant to the top. An interesting feature is the double struck date letter also punched on the inside of the body.

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.