Price: Sold

For sale is this rare and exceptional mid century modernist silver condiment set comprising mustard, salt and pepper, all set within a small stand. They have a wonderful feel and aesthetic that only really good, small, pieces of silver can possess.

The set is classic British post war 1940’s design, with a hint of  both pre-war art deco and the 50’s style to come.  It dates to 1947  and is fully marked and part marked for the Central School of Arts and Crafts (CSAC).  The CSAC was, and remained until the 1960’s, one of, if not the, leading British school for studying metalwork.  All pieces are gilded on the interior.  The salt and pepper each open through a beautifully made sliding, hallmarked, sheet of silver. There is no glass liner for the mustard and no spoon.

I believe the set must have been made by a student or apprentice as their graduation exhibition piece whilst at the CSAC.  Artistic workshop silver from this period is very rare, naturally effected by the recent end of world war II, but also because of a punitive  luxury tax levied on new silver between 1945 and 1947 (after which it was avoidable for individual workers making few pieces) Once the libraries are back open I hope to find a specific maker.

For more information on these silversmiths and silver of this period see “Designer British Silver” by John Andrews and Derek Styles.

The set is made of an extremely heavy gauge of silver and in near perfect condition.

Maker: Central School of Arts

Designer: Unknown

Date: 1947

Marks: CSAC, London, date letter “M”

Material: Sterling silver

Condition: Excellent

Size: 10 cm wide, 7 cm high in total

Weight : 253 grams, 8,9 oz