ANTIQUE SILVER PEPPER POTS
Antique Silver pepper pots Description:
A pepper pot is a small, normally cylindrical, holder for ground pepper, with a removable pierced lid.
Antique Silver pepper pots History:
The earliest known examples of silver pepper pots date from the latter part of the 17th century. At this date the pepper pots were very plain with simple cylindrical bodies. Later shapes changed with the prevailing fashion. They were made throughout the Georgian and Victorian periods, and are still being made today.
Antique Silver pepper pots Design:
The vast majority of antique pepper pots were basically cylindrical, but many were panelled, and had waists, balusters, and collet or pedestal-footed bases. The design of the pierced lids varied from simple holes to very ornate work, topped with finials to help pull the lids off. The bodies were usually plain, but often had applied rims and borders. Some of the later Victorian pepper pots were heavily chased.
Antique Silver pepper pots Collectors Note:
The level of craftsmanship and their aesthetic qualities determine the value of any antique silver pepper pot, but they must also be undamaged with good clear hallmarks, crisp detail, and well-fitting lids/hinges. They also often come with a sleeve of silver inserted into the lid at a later date. This was added to help reduce the flow of fine ground pepper. The part hallmark on the lid should bear some relationship to the full hallmark on the body.