Late Victorian cruet with shell-like condiment bowls
Cruets were in daily use on the tables of the ‘rich and refined’ in the first part of the 20th century, but the time WW1 and WW2 had changed the fabric of daily life, a less formal attitude to such things, plus television, saw the general demise of cruets. This set is interesting, the quality of the porcelain is exceptional and the cruet frame has been meticulously shaped to fit. The metalware is a base type metal, that perhaps had been silver plated no evidence of that is seen on the wire frame. The base plate still shows some evidence of the silver plating and also carries the ‘Made in England’ stamp. The handle of the cruet has the appearance of ivory but in fact I think it is celluloid. So the frame is showing age related tiredness but the porcelain remains bright and free of distress or damage of any kind. The cruet stand son four small ball feet and reaches a height of 205mmm. No indication of the maker for the cruet frame or the porcelain. Fair wear and tear for age and no actual damage found.
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