New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.

Covered Caster

Maker Ambrose Stevenson

Date1711-1712

MediumSilver

DimensionsOverall: 7 x 3 in. (17.8 x 7.6 cm)

ClassificationsDecorative arts

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number78.80

Terms

Queen Anne
London

On View

Not on view

DescriptionThis baluster-shaped caster has a domed and pierced cover. Casters were used for dry condiments such as sugar, salt, pepper, dry mustard, and spices. They were often made in sets of varying sizes and placed on a matching caster stand. The female figure struck on the bottom, called Britannia, was traditionally used to indicate that a higher grade of silver had been employed; this practice was short-lived, since the softer silver wore down much more quickly. The engraved crest has not been identified.

Label TextAmbrose Stevenson English, London (active ca. 1707-20) Caster, 1711-12 Silver Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 78.80 Casters are vessels with open-worked lids used for sprinkling sugar, spices, and pepper over food. They became particularly popular during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, and they were often made in sets of three. The largest container held sugar with a pierced cover suitable to encourage the flow. The other smaller casters most often held Jamaican and black pepper, respectively.