Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Novelty Baby Peppers (1886)

An exceptional, fine and impressive, unusual pair of antique Victorian English sterling silver baby peppers; an addition to our collection of 19th century novelty silverware.

These exceptional antique Victorian English cast sterling silver peppers are realistically modelled in the form of two seated babies, one crying and one laughing*.

Each pepper is embellished with details replicating the children's clothes, anatomical features and facial expressions.

These exceptional peppers bear pierced 'pepper' to the top of the figure's heads.

The underside of each pepper is fitted with a hinged cover and bears the retailer's mark 'Clark 20 Old Bond Street and 33 New Bond Street '; this hinged component provides access to permit each pot to be filled.

These Victorian novelty baby pepper shakers are charming and uncommon, making a distinctive gift for christenings, baby showers or collectors of whimsical silver. They bring a playful elegance to the dining table, serving as both conversation starters and treasured antique pieces.

* This subject of the opposing emotions of laughing and crying has been a popular artistic representation since the 18th century, seen depicted in bronze busts by the French sculptor Louis François Roubiliac. The pairing of laughing and crying figures in art can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosophers Heraclitus (the weeping one) and Democritus (the laughing one).

Condition

These antique 19th century silver peppers are a superior gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition.

The cast decoration is all very sharp.

Full hallmarks to the surface of pepper and part hallmarks to the interior of each cover are very clear; the hallmarks are struck deeply due to the superior gauge of silver.

Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of these examples of antique silverware.

Dimensions

Laughing Child

Length from body to foot 6.7cm/2.64'

Width 6.4cm/2.52'

Height 7.5cm/2.95'

Crying Child

Length from body to foot 5.5cm/2.17'

Width 5.7cm/2.24'

Height 8cm/3.15'

Weight

9.5 troy ounces/296.4g

Maker: Thomas Johnson II

Date: 1886

Origin: London, England

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