Caster
ca. 1765 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
A caster is a small container with a pierced cover used for sprinkling sugar, salt, ground pepper and spices or dry mustard powder over food. They were a popular item of tableware in both silver and Sheffield plate. This example has a bulbous body and moulded foot. The twisted and gadrooned top is enriched with vertical sprays of leaves surmounted by an acorn knop.
Sheffield plate originated, with the discovery in 1742, that bars of silver and copper, in unequal proportions, fused by heating under pressure, could be rolled into sheets of laminated metal and worked like silver. The industry this material created flourished for about 100 years until superseded by electroplating in the 1840s.
Sheffield plate originated, with the discovery in 1742, that bars of silver and copper, in unequal proportions, fused by heating under pressure, could be rolled into sheets of laminated metal and worked like silver. The industry this material created flourished for about 100 years until superseded by electroplating in the 1840s.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Sheffield plate |
Brief description | ca. 1770, English ENGLISH; about 1770. Marks: a monogram struck four times; unidentified. Wolseley Bequest; Base Metal |
Physical description | Plain bulbous body and moulded foot; the twisted and gadrooned top enriched with vertical sprays of leaves surmounted by an acorn knop. An unidentified crest is engraved on the main body, simulated silver marks |
Dimensions |
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Production type | Mass produced |
Marks and inscriptions | A set of simulated silver hallmarks |
Credit line | The Wolseley Bequest |
Production | Reason For Production: Retail |
Summary | A caster is a small container with a pierced cover used for sprinkling sugar, salt, ground pepper and spices or dry mustard powder over food. They were a popular item of tableware in both silver and Sheffield plate. This example has a bulbous body and moulded foot. The twisted and gadrooned top is enriched with vertical sprays of leaves surmounted by an acorn knop. Sheffield plate originated, with the discovery in 1742, that bars of silver and copper, in unequal proportions, fused by heating under pressure, could be rolled into sheets of laminated metal and worked like silver. The industry this material created flourished for about 100 years until superseded by electroplating in the 1840s. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.180-1920 |
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Record created | December 3, 2003 |
Record URL |
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