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A stunning matching pair of late 18th century silver salts, London 1772. The silversmith’s mark is IW and Grimwade attributes this to either John Weldring or James Wiburd.
Each of oval form with beaded rims upon four claw and ball feet. Pierced bodies of slats each with vacant cartouches. Each with removable blue glass liners. Each fully marked on the base with crisp hallmarks.
The glass liners are in lovely condition. Commensurate with age, there a a few tiny nips to the rim, barely discernible by eye, but can be felt if you run a finger around them. They in no way detract from the visual appeal of the pair.
1772 was a significant year. The first shots of the American war of independence were fired as American patriots attacked and burnt the British customs schooner HMS Gaspee off Rhode Island. Captain Cook set sail from Plymouth aboard HMS Resolution to try and find a continent beyond New Zealand and the Lord Chief Justice delivers the judgement that will eventually end slavery in England. Fascinating to think of the conversations these little salts would have witnessed as they adorned one of the fine dinning tables of the age.
Length – 8.1 cm
Width - 6.2cm
Height - 4.8cm
Silver Weight – 101 grams
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