A heavy graduated set of George II sterling silver casters, London 1736 by Paul Crespin

After the model by Paul de Lamerie. Comprising a larger sugar caster and a small pepper or spice caster. Each of circular vase form upon a domed circular base. The pull off domed lids surmounted by a compressed urn finial above a gadrooned section, the lids with finely pierced decoration of diaper work heightened with engraved flower heads. The bodies with applied Baroque scrollwork reserved with shaped textured grounds, the edge with winged cherub masks surmounted by rocaille. The foot with shells, acanthus scrolls within strapwork. Each later engraved with a crest of a plume of six ostrich feathers. Each fully marked underneath and with a lion passant to each lid bezel. The larger caster with a scratch weight underneath of 19=3, the smaller with 10=7. (2)

Larger height – 20.1 cm / 7.85 inches

Smaller height – 15.2 cm / 6 inches

Weight – 902 grams / 29 ozt

This design of caster is after a model by Paul de Lamerie (Hertogenbosch 1688 - London 1751), closely resembling a pair of 1730 engraved for the Dukes of Norfolk, bearing the same applied work to the body and the form of decoration to the lids, now in the John Paul Getty Museum (78.DG.180). Also a set of four casters with the same applied work to the body, but differing lids of 1733 is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (58.7.5a, b–.8a, b), and another of 1734 in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (57-102 A,B). A set of three of 1735 with the same applied moulding is illustrated in P.A.S. Phillips Paul de Lamerie His Life and Work, plates CII and CIII, now in the Ashmolean museum (WA1946.96).

A caster of this exact form, date and maker is illustrated in Davis, J. D. (1976), English Silver at Williamsburg. Williamsburg, Virginia: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, p.149, fig.154.

Another caster this exact form, date and maker is illustrated in [advertisement] S.J Phillips, London, Connoisseur Souvenir of the Antiques Dealer’ Fair and Other Exhibitions (June 1952), P. 21.

Another caster off the same by the same maker but the smaller size with a blind cover for mustard is illustrated in Wenham, E., (1931), Domestic Silver of Great Britain and Ireland, Oxford: Oxford University Press. P. 203, 205-6, Fig. 2.