This impressive pair of antique sterling silver cruet sets consists of two pepper shakers, two salts and two mustard pots, all displayed on their original stands.
Each component of these antique sterling silver cruet sets has a circular rounded form; the stands have a trefoil-shaped form.
The vessels are embellished with exceptional chased decoration depicting figures drinking, conversing and dancing in an outdoor tavern setting; it can be determined that the ornamentation was influenced by Flemish/Dutch genre artwork, such as pieces crafted in the late 17th century by David Teniers II.
The mustard pots are fitted with domed hinged covers, each surmounted with the original figural finials and bear scrolling borders to the rims.
The exceptional mustard pots retain the original branch style handles, ornamented with details replicating the bark and knots.
Each of the silver peppers retains the original, hallmarked push fit cover ornamented to the upper portion with pierced 'pepper' holes.
The rounded salts are each fitted with blue glass liners.
The condiment vessels are fitted to the original hallmarked trefoil-shaped cruet stands, supported by figural feet.
The surface of each stand incorporates three receivers and the rim is encompassed with an applied scrolling border.
Each stand is fitted with a further branch decorated handpiece, featuring a trifurcating lower socket in junction with the paralleling rim.
These exceptional condiment sets are accompanied by two impressive apostle style spoons, crafted in the same year and matching the service in a figural decorative manner.
The condiment vessels were crafted by George Fox and the stands were made by William Leuchars; they all bear the London assay office mark, in addition to the date letter for 1883.
Such original pairs of condiment sets are rare to the market.
Maker: George Fox / William Leuchars
Date: 1883
