Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 65, The Whiteley Galleries

Mustard Pot

1777-1778 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This small pot was used for serving prepared (wet) mustard. Here the silver pot has pierced decoration and a glass liner. The liner prevented the silver from being corroded by the acidic vinegar in the mustard. This type of mustard pot, made in silver or Sheffield plate, became popular in the late 18th century.

Mustard pots were usually drum-shaped, but they were also oval, rectangular and even vase-shaped in the late 18th century. The lids were usually hinged with a raised thumbpiece and an indentation for the stem of the mustard spoon.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Mustard Pot
  • Liner
  • Spoon
Materials and techniques
Silver, with glass liner
Brief description
Silver, London hallmarks for 1787-8, mark of Hester Bateman
Physical description
Mustard pot, silver, pierced, with blue glass liner. Cylindrical, the side decorated with four panels of scrollwork, pearled edges, palmette thumbpiece,. Engraved with a crest (an arm in armour grasping a scimitar). Plain spoon.
Dimensions
  • Height: 8cm
  • Width: 8.8cm
  • Depth: 6cm
  • Weight: 90.3g
  • Weight: 2.9troy
Marks and inscriptions
  • Thomas Daniel (?) also with a spoon with the maker's mark of G Smith and William Fearn
  • Engraved crest, an arm in armour grasping a scimitar (unidentified).
  • London hallmarks for 1777-8
  • Mark of Thomas Daniel
Gallery label
MUSTARD POT WITH SPOON glass liner London, 1777-8 Mark of Thomas Daniel Spoon, London 1795-6 Mark of G. Smith and William Fearn Frank Smith Bequest M.430:1-2-1922
Credit line
Bequeathed by Frank Smith
Object history
Bequest - Frank Smith
Acquisition RF: Frank Smith
Subjects depicted
Summary
This small pot was used for serving prepared (wet) mustard. Here the silver pot has pierced decoration and a glass liner. The liner prevented the silver from being corroded by the acidic vinegar in the mustard. This type of mustard pot, made in silver or Sheffield plate, became popular in the late 18th century.

Mustard pots were usually drum-shaped, but they were also oval, rectangular and even vase-shaped in the late 18th century. The lids were usually hinged with a raised thumbpiece and an indentation for the stem of the mustard spoon.
Collection
Accession number
M.430:1,2&A-1922

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Record createdSeptember 10, 2004
Record URL
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