Although mustard pots with lids are known from the early eighteenth century ( A pair from 1724 were made for Horatio,1st Baron Walpole where they were described as ‘Mustard Barrils’) it was not really until the 1760s that they start to appear in any meaningful quantities.
Despite these 1724 mustards being in the traditionally recognisable mustard pot form of a vessel with a lid and a handle ,the vast majority of early mustard pots are essentially a sugar caster but with no pierced holes in the lid .These are known as ‘Blind Mustards’ and are mostly seen in the 1720-1750 period .These were used for dry mustard which was dispensed from the caster but their usage was effectively extinguished by the traditional mustard pot with liner ( usually blue glass but sometimes plain glass). The chances of finding a mustard pot of traditional form (not a blind mustard) before 1760 are limited (I have seen two in 40 years!)By 1760 mustard pots tend to be of drum form but by the later eighteenth century are often oval or more rarely vase shape.
The earliest mustard pots are either very plain or have quite exotic piercing. A little later hand engraved ornament became popular. By the early nineteenth century shapes become much more varied both in shape and ornament and by the mid to late nineteenth century can sometimes be found in animal forms – The Owl mustard pot perhaps the most famous.
At William Walter Antiques we always have a fine selection of antique silver mustard pots for sale.
