Pass the Salt. . .

. . . and the pepper and the mustard. Inside this antique case. . . .

. . . is the answer to all your finer condiment serving needs in stunning sterling silver. Fitted in its original satin and velvet lined presentation case, such splendid silver sets were the epitome of elegant dining in Victorian and Edwardian England. 

The set consists of two pepper pots, a mustard pot, two open salt cellars, and three matching serving spoons. Other than needing a little polishing, the pieces are in remarkable shape for their age. 

The pieces carry British silver hallmarks. The top mark is the maker's mark, in this case the initials "R.P." in a shield for Robert Pringle and Sons. The firm was first founded in 1835 by Robert Pringle and renamed Robert Pringle and Sons in 1899. They were known for their fine sterling pieces and made a wide variety of tableware and other items. The firm was in business through the 1960s. The trio of marks below indicate the purity of the metal, where the piece was assayed, and when it was made. The first mark, a lion, indicates the piece is .925 or sterling silver. The center shield contains the stylized leopard's head assay mark for London and the final stamp is known as the date mark. Beginning in the 1500s, the London assay office each year issued a date mark. The date mark uses a cycle of twenty letters of the alphabet in a shield, with different combinations of font and shield shape for each cycle. This particular mark would indicate that this exquisite set was made in 1908.

Al posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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