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London Silver Caster
These london silver caster examples range from Georgian pounce pots to mid-century shakers, offering functional elegance for the dining table.
London Silver Caster
A london silver caster is a perforated vessel designed for sprinkling sugar, spices, or pounce over food and documents.
The selection includes sugar casters, pepper pots, salt shakers, and mustard pots spanning from the early eighteenth century through to the mid-twentieth century.
Buyers will encounter various forms, from classic lighthouse silhouettes to novelty animal shapes such as owls and grotesque figures.
How They Were Made
Silversmiths utilised solid sterling silver and silver-gilt, often combining the metal with cut glass or Bristol blue glass inserts.
Pierced work on the lids required meticulous hand-sawing and drilling to create geometric or floral patterns for sifting contents.
Several Victorian silversmiths shaped their condiment pots as wide-eyed owls and grotesque creatures.
What Varies in Quality
The weight of the silver dictates substance and durability, with heavier pieces demonstrating greater material investment by the maker.
Crispness in the piercing of the lid and clarity of the hallmarks indicate the level of craftsmanship and care applied during production.
Frederick Brasted·Charles Thomas Fox·Stephen Adams·James Goodwin·Horace Woodward·Thomas Johnson·Preece And Willicombe·Charles Alchorne·Berthold Muller·Samuel Wood·John Delmester·Jabez Daniell·William Hutton And Sons
The London Silver Caster Glossary
- Caster
- A small container with a perforated top used for sprinkling sugar or fine herbs. It sits on the dining table or sideboard.
- Pounce pot
- A small shaker used to sprinkle resin powder onto parchment to absorb ink and prevent blotting.
- Silver-gilt
- Silver that has been coated with a thin layer of gold on its surface. This technique provides a rich interior or exterior finish.
- Muffineer
- An alternative term for a sugar caster, historically used for dusting sugar onto muffins or breakfast pastries.
- Hallmark
- An official stamp applied to precious metals indicating purity, origin maker, and year of assay.
London Silver Caster: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a london silver caster used for?
These vessels were originally employed to dust powdered sugar over desserts, pastries, or meats, or to dispense dried spices.
They also served as pounce pots for sprinkling sand-like resins onto wet ink to accelerate drying on documents.
How do I clean a silver caster?
Gentle washing with warm water and mild soap removes daily dust and preserves the finish.
Harsh abrasive dips should be avoided to protect the delicate pierced details on the lids.
How can I tell the age of a caster?
Assay office marks and date letters stamped into the silver provide the exact year of manufacture.
Stylistic shifts, such as the transition from plain George I cylinders to Victorian novelty shapes, also indicate the period.
Can I use these shakers today?
Solid silver and glass casters remain fully functional for table service during meals.
Careful handling ensures that pierced lids and screw fittings remain undamaged through regular use.