1800s Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Squirrel Condiment Set

This exceptional and rare antique Victorian English cast sterling silver condiment set consists of a mustard pot and a pair of peppers.

The components of this magnificent set have been realistically modelled in the form of squirrels eating nuts.

Each substantial piece is ornamented with details reproducing the squirrel’s fur and anatomical features.

The fine mustard pot is fitted the original hallmarked flush hinged cover, incorporating the rodent’s arms and head, and retains the original gilding to the interior; the flush hinge and gilding indicates the high quality of the piece.

The decoration to each squirrel pepper incorporates an array of pierced ‘pepper’ holes to the upper portion.

The underside of each pepperette is fitted with a hinged hallmarked push fit cover.

The base of each piece bears the retailer’s mark ‘Jones 41 St James’s St & 23 B Des Capucine, Paris’.

The magnificent condiment set will have been crafted in the same year, but due to the hallmarking system the mustard pot is struck with the date letter ‘C’ and the pepperettes bear the date letter ‘D’.

This exceptional and rare sterling silver squirrel condiment set the finest quality of its type you could hope to acquire.

Condition
This antique rare sterling silver squirrel condiment set is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in an exceptional unused condition.
The cast decoration is all very sharp and the gilding is in excellent condition; this indicates the pieces have seen little to no use.
Full hallmarks to the surface of each pepper’s feet and underside of the mustard pot, and part hallmarks to the covers are very clear; the hallmarks are struck deeply due to the exceptional gauge of silver.

Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of these examples of antique silverware.

Dimensions
Mustard Pot
Length 6.4cm/2.5′
Width 2.5cm/1′
Height 7.4cm/2.9′
Larger Squirrel Pepper
Length 5.4cm/2.1′
Width 1.7cm/0.7′
Height 5.7cm/2.2′
Smaller Squirrel Pepper
Length 5.6cm/2.2′
Width 2.1cm/0.8′
Height 4.8cm/1.9′

Total Weight
8.2 troy ounces/256g

Date: 1879
Origin: London, England

SKU: C8429