Antique Silver Condiments
Antique silver condiments add style, sophistication and formality to a dining table, they add another dimension to a dinner party, as an added detail they convey an element of extra effort that looks very impressive. Silver condiment holders are nice to bring out for a special family gathering, such as Christmas or Birthdays, be it a pair of salts, a silver mustard pot or a silver cruet set.
History of Condiments
Condiments have been used since ancient times to enhance the flavour of food; some of the first condiments used were salt and vinegar. It is thought mustard was also used in Roman times, and during the 16th, 17th and 18th C, more and more condiments were used during meal times. A condiment is defined as a spice or sauce that complements dishes. The term originates from the Latin word ‘condimentum.’
Types of Antique Silver Condiments
There are a variety of antique silver condiment holders to purchase, there are salt and pepper pots, mustard pots, salts and sugar bowls, to name but a few.
An antique silver cruet set was popular before the turn of the 20th C. These silver cruet sets compose of a stand and a frame designed to hold condiment holders such as casters, salt and pepper pots, vinegar bottles, mustard pots and bottles of oil.
The earliest silver cruet set came from the early 18th C, the Queen Anne period, they were also produced in the Georgian and Victorian eras but fell out of favour towards the 20th C. Today they look perfect in the centre of a table for a special occasion or a memorable dining experience.
Cruet set designs differed, a Warwick cruet set held three silver casters and two bottles with silver mounts. Georgian and Victorian cruet sets held between two and eight silver mounted bottles. There are a variety of designs of antique silver cruet sets, it is a rarity to find a complete 18th C cruet set, including all its original pieces and these are very valuable. The condition of the silver cruet set is very important, it is possible to find replacement bottles and casters but it will ultimately affect the value of the antique.
Mainly salt and pepper castors were used in the 17th C, with sugar castors, mustard pots, spice shakers and bottles becoming more popular by the 18th C. A Victorian cruet set made of silver plated Britannia is particularly sought after and a very nice item. Some cruet sets during this period were also made with bells to ring servants of the house.
Notable antique silver condiment holders that are particularly attractive are antique silver salts in the shape of birds. There are some very nice antique silver mustard pot or drums available, as well as elegant and pretty silver sugar bowls. It is possible to pick up ornate antique and vintage salt and peppershakers that look striking in one’s dining set. Many condiment holders may feature glass bodies with silver detailing. An antique silver egg cruet, which holds up to 8 eggcups on a stand, sometimes with spoons is also a nice piece.
Whether you choose to purchase a cruet set with matching condiment holders or but antique silver condiment holders separately, depends on the uniformity of the dinning experience you wish for. Whatever one’s personal preference there are plenty of unique silver condiments to choose from.
