The Pepper was one of the most important condiments in the ancient world probably second in importance only to salt on the dining room table.
Unlike salt which was taken out of an open vessel (at least until the early twentieth century when saltshakers started to be produced) pepper was shaken or ‘cast’ out of a vessel which contained the condiment.
In England, the pepper caster in silver first appeared at the beginning of the eighteenth century unlike salt cellars which are known from Tudor times and earlier, together with the sugar caster which is known from as early as the Cromwellian period (c1650).
The pepper of choice during the early days was almost always white pepper rather than today’s more common black pepper. The range of styles of silver pepper casters during most of the eighteenth century was relatively limited compared to other articles. Pepper casters generally stood on a circular foot with finely pierced detachable lids and by the later eighteenth century they can be found on a square pedestal foot.
Another type that can be found is the so called ‘Kitchen Pepper’ which is small and without a foot with a small, scrolled handle. The size of casters was quite variable, and the reality is that these ‘peppers’ would have clearly been used for other condiments and spices.
There were specialist caster makers such as Samuel Wood, Samuel Welder, Jabez Daniell and they were also made by more general makers such as the Bateman family.
At William Walter Antiques you will find a large choice of casters from the eighteenth century right up to the modern era.
