Images(7)

Caster or Pepper Pot

Date1737-1738

Marked by Richard Gurney & Thomas Cooke II (active 1727 - 1773)

OriginEngland, London

MediumSilver (Sterling)

DimensionsOH: 4 3/16"; D(cover): 1 7/16"; D(body): 2 1/16"; D(base): 1 13/16" Cover Diameter: 1 7/16"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1954-568,A&B

DescriptionCaster: baluster-shaped; fillet molding at rim of body above contracted neck of concave profile flaring to bulbous lower section with drawn and applied fillet mid-band at juncture of seamed upper part of body and raised lower part; body supported on slightly-domed circular splayed foot with flanged edge.

Caster cover: circular boss on center-top of raised domed circular cover with drawn and applied molded sleeve at rim fitting over rim of body; face of cover pierced with line of small circular holes within engraved band in swagged arrangement with pendent floral piercing below at juncture of each of the four swags and center hole with engraved cross-members with floral piercing in each quadrant above each swag;
Label TextMost of these modest casters of "bun-top" type date from the second quarter of the eighteenth century; they probably served as pepper pots.

Most English examples of these modest “bun-top” casters date from the second quarter of the eighteenth century. Its similarity to the Cahn Collection example by Jacob Hurd suggests that the forms embraced by American silversmiths were often contemporary with the work of their British counterparts. The initials “T/TM” on the side of this caster have not been identified.

InscribedEngraved in shaded block letters "T/ T M" on side of belly.
MarkingsSponsor's mark "R•G" with "T" above and "C" below in block letters within a cruciform-shaped reserve (Grimwade 1990 #2324) and lion passant on interior of cover (partially obliterated by piercing); leopard's head crowned, lion passant, and date "b" letter on underside of base.

ProvenanceVendor:Garrard & Co. Ltd., London (purchased from Miss E. Sankey, Kensington, 1951)