Circa 1920 Crystal & Silver Plate 6 Piece Cruet
£295
A superb large oval table standing five piece crystal cruet all held in a silver plated frame and stand. This dates to circa 1920, is a high quality example of the work of Walker and Hall of Sheffield, a first class English manufacturer. There are design elements that hark back to the Georgian and regency periods, as well as elements of the late Victorian and even Edwardian periods. the stand is a good weight and the casting is crisp and sharp, the oval body has scrolling foliate feet, a protruding waist with pierced decor, above a chased rolling scroll, the plain band above the waist is finished with very detailed edge trim and embellishment. The frame has a central decorative column, with oval and highly decorative top, the column also supports the section plate ensuring each condiment has its proper place and is held snuggly.
The crystal isn't outshone by the stand, these are some of the best condiment bottles we have seen, they are all finely and carefully cut with everted and inverted peardrop cut around the neck, a dart and ladder cut around the body as well as vertical v cuts. The oil and vinegar bottles have multi faceted stoppers and the lip is pinched to afford dual pouring lips and the cutter has added a simple but worthwhile indent in the lip to aid the pourer.
As stated this is a large set, the stand is an oval 7 inches wide by 5 inches depth and the overall height to top of central column is 11 1/2 inches. The crystal topped bottles stand 7 1/2 inches high, the salt and pepper shakers 7 inches the mustard 5 inches (each bottle is approximately 2 inches in diameter.
The condition is very good, the crystal is bright, not dulled and free of any damage. All the silver plate covers fit properly , the frame and stand are all free of dents etc. The points to note are the cruet has been used and the slat has affected the inside of the plate cover, not drastic and to be expected on a piece of this age there is one of the small stars in the slat cover that has been eroded the outer surface is Ok, but is not as smart and crisp as the pepper , the base plate has some signs of use, again under the salt bottle there is wear to the plate surface.
The mustard spoon has the makers marks , the wave pennant of walker and hall, complete with the W H & S stamp and a shield cartouche with a lower case c and 1 impressed. ( note the shield is a bit of an anomaly, as the form was used to contain an EP and crown which was forbidden by the Sheffield assay office in 1898, and although the crown etc aren't on this piece it is an unusual use of the shield)