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ID #SA1120214
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£4,000
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A Rare Pair of Victorian Novelty Silver 'Baby' Salt and Pepper Shakers, Thomas Johnson, London, 1886
For sale by Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €4,680     $5,080
£4,000
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
Browse dealers 205 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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A Rare Pair of Victorian Novelty Silver 'Baby' Salt and Pepper Shakers, Thomas Johnson, London, 1886

19th century
Description

A Rare Pair of Victorian Novelty Silver 'Baby' Salt and Pepper Shakers, Thomas Johnson, London, 1886

Realistically modelled as two seated babies, one crying and one laughing, the bases hinging open. Engraved on the undersides for the retailer Jones of St James' St., London and Boulevard des Capucines, Paris.

Height 8.5cm

Total Weight 291 grams

The subject of laughing and crying babies has been a popular one for artists since the 18th century. The theme can be seen in pair of bronze busts by the French sculptor Louis François Roubiliac (1702-1762) in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the 1871 International Exhibition in London featured a further pair of babies by Adolphe Itasse (1829-1893). In silver, the earliest examples may be a pair of condiment shakers hallmarked for London, 1880, with the maker's mark of Robert Hennell & Sons.

Thomas Jones started up as a perfumer in London in 1850. The company expanded quickly, opening a store in Paris in 1856 and branching out into other lines such as travelling bags, dressing cases, brushes, stationery and jewellery.

Physical Dimensions
Height
8.5cm (3.35")
Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated these Victorian Novelty Silver Shakers to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1120214
Description
A Rare Pair of Victorian Novelty Silver 'Baby' Salt and Pepper Shakers, Thomas Johnson, London, 1886

Realistically modelled as two seated babies, one crying and one laughing, the bases hinging open. Engraved on the undersides for the retailer Jones of St James' St., London and Boulevard des Capucines, Paris.

fig 1. A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features.
fig 1. A Rare Pair of Victorian Novelty Silver 'Baby' Salt and Pepper Shakers, Thomas Johnson, London, 1886

Height 8.5cm

Total Weight 291 grams

The subject of laughing and crying babies has been a popular one for artists since the 18th century. The theme can be seen in pair of bronze busts by the French sculptor Louis François Roubiliac (1702-1762) in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the 1871 International Exhibition in London featured a further pair of babies by Adolphe Itasse (1829-1893).

“
In silver, the earliest examples may be a pair of condiment shakers hallmarked for London, 1880, with the maker's mark of Robert Hennell & Sons.
Sandbanks Antiques
fig 2. A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features.
fig 2. A Rare Pair of Victorian Novelty Silver 'Baby' Salt and Pepper Shakers, Thomas Johnson, London, 1886

Thomas Jones started up as a perfumer in London in 1850. The company expanded quickly, opening a store in Paris in 1856 and branching out into other lines such as travelling bags, dressing cases, brushes, stationery and jewellery.

Height
8.5cm (3.35")
Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated these Victorian Novelty Silver Shakers to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1120214
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features.
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Archive I A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features.

A Rare Pair of Victorian Novelty Silver 'Baby' Salt and Pepper Shakers, Thomas Johnson, London, 1886

Archive II A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features. View II
Archive III A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features. View III
Archive IV A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features. View IV
Archive V A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features. View V
Archive VI A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features. View VI
Archive VII A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features. View VII
Enlarged Archival View
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 205
Items Sold 86
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
205
Sold
86
A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features.
A Rare Pair of Victorian Novelty Silver 'Baby' Salt and Pepper Shakers, Thomas Johnson, London, 1886
Ref: SA1120214
A pair of Victorian cast sterling silver novelty salt and pepper shakers modelled as sitting infant babies with expressive facial features.
Detail View 24
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Detail View 27
Detail View 28
Detail View 30
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSalt and Pepper Shakers
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialSterling Silver
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsFigurative infants, Expressive facial features, Cast silver details, Sitting pose
  • SizeH 8.5 cm (3 in)

This pair of Victorian novelty salt and pepper shakers dates to 1886 and originates from London, modelled in sterling silver. Each piece depicts a seated infant with detailed clothing, expressive facial features, and distinct poses where one child cries openly while the other has a more subdued expression. The lustrous metallic finish reflects light across the cast folds of their garments and tiny hands and feet. Measuring 8.5 cm high, these tabletop accessories stand compactly upon a flat surface. Placed upon a dining table, sideboard top, or display cabinet, these silver condiments bring character to a formal dining setting. Their miniature scale allows them to sit neatly alongside other tableware during meals or serve as conversation pieces on a shelf. The hinged bases open for practical everyday use while retaining their historical charm as collectible Victorian silverwork.

FAQs

Victorian novelty silver refers to sterling silver items produced during the late nineteenth century shaped into whimsical figures, animals, or everyday objects. Unlike conventional geometric or floral silver, these pieces were designed to amuse dinner guests and demonstrate high-level casting techniques.

These items were typically created using lost-wax casting or heavy silver mould casting to achieve intricate figurative detail. The pieces were then hand-chased for fine surface texture and fitted with removable tops or base plugs for filling.

Authentic British pieces bear official hallmarks stamped into the metal, including a makers mark, town mark such as the London leopard head, silver purity mark, and date letter corresponding to the year of manufacture.

Display these sculptural silver objects on a sideboard top or integrate them into a modern table setting to create a refined conversational focal point. Grouping them with minimalist glassware highlights their detailed textures.

Clean silver condiments gently using a specialised silver polishing cloth or a mild silver polish applied with a soft sponge. Avoid abrasive pastes, harsh chemicals, or dishwashers, and store them in a low-humidity environment to prevent tarnishing.
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