Sterling Silver Condiments — from grand Georgian Warwick cruets to individual salt cellars and mustard pots.
Condiments
Silver condiments have graced tables for several hundred years, salt in particular — valued since Roman times for its role in keeping food fresh, which is part of why some of the most elaborate silver ever made was built specifically to hold it. The Georgian period produced grand condiment sets, with groups of pepper pots arranged into what’s known as a ‘Warwick’ cruet. The Victorian period brought more novelty and decorative mustard pots, and three-piece condiment sets became genuinely popular through the twentieth century. Available as full sets or individual pieces. Every piece is hallmarked, guaranteeing the silver content under UK law.
At a Glance
Salt cellars available individually or in sets of 2, 4, 6, or 8
Georgian ‘Warwick’ cruets grouped multiple pepper pots into one set
Novelty and decorative mustard pots (late Victorian) are especially sought after
Three-piece condiment sets became popular in the 20th century
Replacement glass liners available on request for salt and mustard pots
Style & Maker History
Salt has been valued for its preservative properties since the days of the Roman Empire, and that historical significance is part of why some of the most elaborate silver ever made was designed specifically to hold it. The Georgian period is particularly associated with grand condiment sets — groups of pepper pots gathered into what’s known as a ‘Warwick’ cruet being one of the more distinctive forms. The late Victorian period brought a wave of more novelty and decorative mustard pots, and by the twentieth century, the simpler three-piece condiment set had become the more common choice.
Buyer's Guide
Vintage salt cellars are available individually or in sets of two, four, six, or eight, so it’s worth deciding early whether you want a full matched set or are happy building one piece at a time. Novelty and decorative mustard pots are particularly sought after and tend to be the more distinctive piece in a collection. If a salt or mustard pot’s glass liner needs replacing, that’s available on request rather than something to work around.
A few things to know
Any item which is guaranteed to be over 100 years old.
Sterling Silver is guaranteed by the UK Hallmarking Act. Each piece is independently verified and assayed for the purity of silver content.
Yes, all of the items shown on our website are available to view at our showroom in The London Silver Vaults.
Looking after your silverware is a simple process. We have put together a guide at https://johnsurtees.co.uk/knowledge/how-to-clean-silver-care-guide/