Set of Condiment Vases
1758-1763 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The largest vase in this set was used to hold sugar, which would have been served with the larger pierced ladle. The two smaller vases were for ground pepper and wet mustard: pepper was served with the smaller pierced ladle; mustard was served with the solid ladle. The set may have originally been supplied with glass liners, the vase for mustard undoubtedly so. The original ladles may have been displayed hanging from the handles of the vases.
History
In contemporary inventories, a condiment vase was referred to as 'vase caster' or 'salt glass', and the earliest surviving English examples date from the 1740s. The set may have been grouped on a tray, and a large, grand dining table may have held matching sets of condiment vases. The development of condiment sets was created to satisfy the demand by wealthier people for imposing table vessels.
Form & Style
A 'vase' form, with waisted profile, high foot and domed cover, which replaced the earlier caster form, is characteristic of the Rococo style. This set maintains a restrained, careful balance between form and decoration: the twisted shell motif at the shoulders is placed at right-angles to the shaped handles, while the wave motif and dots on the body of each vase are repeated on the covers.
The largest vase in this set was used to hold sugar, which would have been served with the larger pierced ladle. The two smaller vases were for ground pepper and wet mustard: pepper was served with the smaller pierced ladle; mustard was served with the solid ladle. The set may have originally been supplied with glass liners, the vase for mustard undoubtedly so. The original ladles may have been displayed hanging from the handles of the vases.
History
In contemporary inventories, a condiment vase was referred to as 'vase caster' or 'salt glass', and the earliest surviving English examples date from the 1740s. The set may have been grouped on a tray, and a large, grand dining table may have held matching sets of condiment vases. The development of condiment sets was created to satisfy the demand by wealthier people for imposing table vessels.
Form & Style
A 'vase' form, with waisted profile, high foot and domed cover, which replaced the earlier caster form, is characteristic of the Rococo style. This set maintains a restrained, careful balance between form and decoration: the twisted shell motif at the shoulders is placed at right-angles to the shaped handles, while the wave motif and dots on the body of each vase are repeated on the covers.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 9 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver |
| Dimensions | Dimensions checked: Registered Description; 01/01/1998 by LM Spoons: one is 14cm the other two 12.4cm |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
These vases were used for pepper, sugar and wet mustard. Their basic shape is symmetrical, but they are pulled into Rococo asymmetry at the shoulders. The detailing of the handles and other decoration is equally asymmetric. The waisted shape was common in English silver of the 1750s.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by W. J. Johnson |
| Object history | Made in the London workshop of Edward Wakelin and John Parker (in partnership 1758 - 1777) |
| Production | Two hallmarked for 1758-1759, the third for 1762-1763 |
| Summary | Object Type The largest vase in this set was used to hold sugar, which would have been served with the larger pierced ladle. The two smaller vases were for ground pepper and wet mustard: pepper was served with the smaller pierced ladle; mustard was served with the solid ladle. The set may have originally been supplied with glass liners, the vase for mustard undoubtedly so. The original ladles may have been displayed hanging from the handles of the vases. History In contemporary inventories, a condiment vase was referred to as 'vase caster' or 'salt glass', and the earliest surviving English examples date from the 1740s. The set may have been grouped on a tray, and a large, grand dining table may have held matching sets of condiment vases. The development of condiment sets was created to satisfy the demand by wealthier people for imposing table vessels. Form & Style A 'vase' form, with waisted profile, high foot and domed cover, which replaced the earlier caster form, is characteristic of the Rococo style. This set maintains a restrained, careful balance between form and decoration: the twisted shell motif at the shoulders is placed at right-angles to the shaped handles, while the wave motif and dots on the body of each vase are repeated on the covers. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.1675 to H-1944 |
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| Record created | April 26, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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