Cruet Set
ca. 1850 (made)
This cruet set, used to hold salt and pepper, is likely to have been made for decorative purposes. It has been modelled as the figure of Joseph Grimaldi, with a removable head and torso which allow the owner to access the contents inside.
Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) was a hugely influential comic performer in Britain, expanding the role of the clown on stage and establishing the use of whiteface make-up. His dominance on the stages of Sadler's Wells and Drury Lane theatres saw the adoption of the term 'Joey' for clowns or harlequins.
Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) was a hugely influential comic performer in Britain, expanding the role of the clown on stage and establishing the use of whiteface make-up. His dominance on the stages of Sadler's Wells and Drury Lane theatres saw the adoption of the term 'Joey' for clowns or harlequins.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 8 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver plated |
| Brief description | Silver cruet set in the form of Joseph Grimaldi, 1850 |
| Physical description | Silver plate cruet set in the figure of Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) in clown garb, posing with feet turned in and hands on his hips. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Harry R. Beard Collection, given by Isobel Beard |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This cruet set, used to hold salt and pepper, is likely to have been made for decorative purposes. It has been modelled as the figure of Joseph Grimaldi, with a removable head and torso which allow the owner to access the contents inside. Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) was a hugely influential comic performer in Britain, expanding the role of the clown on stage and establishing the use of whiteface make-up. His dominance on the stages of Sadler's Wells and Drury Lane theatres saw the adoption of the term 'Joey' for clowns or harlequins. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.913&G-1981 |
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| Record created | July 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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