Continental Silver Gilt Salt Cellars

This intriguing sterling silver cup features the shell of a coconut mounted into exquisite silver. A sublime example of elegant Georgian design, the cup features delicate scalloped edging as its singular motif. It is extraordinary to find such a beautiful example of this lost art, exhibiting a rare combination of classical beauty and exotic charm. The use of rare and exotic materials such as the coconut became popular across Europe during the Middle Ages, when it was believed that these unique materials from distant lands possessed mystical powers. It was held that they could detect, and even deter, the effects of poison and as such were employed as drinking vessels, often mounted with ornate embellishments of silver. As more trade routes opened up during the 16th century, materials such as the coconut became more widely available, though still only afforded to the wealthy minority in Europe and England. And, while they eventually lost their appeal for their magical powers, coconuts proved an ideal material for cups and pots and retained their popularity as such. Very similar silver-mounted coconut cups...

Pristine and immense in its breadth, this 994-piece silver set, created by the renowned C.J. Vander of London, is in a class of its own. When silver was the coinage of Great Britain, silver flatware sets became affirmations of economic prosperity and affluence. Only the most prestigious families could afford a set of twelve place settings. This complete Vander service comprised of almost 1,000 grapevine pattern pieces, with service for 60 people for a seated meal and service for 82 people for a buffet, was a monumental commission. All of the pieces are held in a remarkable seven-drawer velvet inlaid mahogany case, emphasizing the grandeur of this exceptional set. Vander created silver masterpieces using the time-honored traditions, now incredibly rare. Known for their elaborate designs and intricate engravings, Vander was one of the last remaining English flatware makers to employ the age-old method of hand forging flatware, where each piece of silver starts out as an ingot and is formed by a silversmith using a Hammer. After the pieces were forged, they would be hammered flat, polished, chased and decorated, and then polished again, all by hand. Though time-consuming, such craftsmanship ensured a product that was superior in every possible way. It was this firm's steadfast commitment to quality that made them the favorite of both royalty and nobility alike throughout Europe. Over 117 pounds of weighable silver, this 994-piece set includes: 82 table forks 82 soup spoons 82 table knives with stainless steel blades 82 dessert forks 82 dessert spoons 82 dessert/cheese knives with stainless steel blades 82 tea spoons 60 fish forks 60 fish knives 60 coffee spoons 60 pastry forks 60 grapefruit spoons 60 butter knives 37 table serving spoon...

Pair of early Victorian antique silver salt cellars with circular melon fluted bodies, spreading circular bases and decorated with scroll a...

A Very Fine Pair of Silver Gilt Neo-classical Revival Salt Cellars Made in Birmingham by the Famous Firm of Freerick Elkington in 1878. The Salt Cellars are of a most unusual design...