A scarce Victorian novelty silver and parcel-gilt mustard Richards & Brown, London 1867, modelled as a chimpanzee sitting cross-legged wearing an Oriental jacket and smoking a pipe, with spectacles and holding a beaker, allover matted ground and engraved scroll and floral decoration, the hinged cover formed as a hat and spoon finial as the central plume, silver-gilt liner to interior, engraved to underside W.B.E and Victorian registration mark for 26 February (indistinct year, possibly 1842) (Height: 10cm, weight: 5oz) Literature: A set of three is illustrated in 'The Colman Collection of silver mustard pots', published by Colman Foods, Norwich 1979, page 90. The dust jacket cover of Culme, 'The Directory of Goldsmiths & Silversmiths, Jewellers & Allied Traders 1838-1914' Antique Collector's Club Ltd, London, 1987, features the mustard as part of three condiments Note: Lavishly adorned tables were a highlight of Victorian dining, with comports overflowing with bon-bons, floral displays and all the necessary accoutrements considered a necessity the fashionable table. Condiment sets were also a vital element, and these were often in novelty forms, and inspired from the far reaches of the British Empire. This mustard pot originally would have been accompanied by two other condiment pieces as illustrated on the cover of the dust jacket for ‘The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths. Jewellers & Allied Traders 1838-1914’ by J. Culme. Another example also forms part of the mustard manufacturer Colman’s archival collection and is found referenced in their publication, 'The Colman Collection of silver mustard pots', published by Colman Foods, Norwich 1979, page 90. In 1866 Colman’s was granted the Royal Warrant as manufacturers of mustard to Queen Victoria, and only a year later, this mustard was assayed in 1867 by Richards & Brown. George J. Richards had entered in partnership with Edward Charles Brown in 1857 registering a conjoined mark on 13 July 1857. Richards’ father William had also been a silversmith and Brown had been apprenticed to George J. Richards. It is also important to add that George J. Richards retired in 1867 (the year the mustard was assayed, and therefore perhaps one of the last pieces he oversaw) but Edward Charles Brown continued trading as Richards & Brown. A delightful piece, this mustard designed as a chimpanzee with Oriental clothing and plume hat spoon, shows the care and attention needed for a Victorian dinner party. It is rare to find auction results for similar piece, particularly with the gilt decoration. Christie’s, offered a set of three in their Important French Furniture from a Private Collection sale in New York on the 6th June 2013, lot 34 which achieved $12,500 (Buyer's Premium included) but without the gilt detail. Bonham’s Fine Silver and Objects of Vertu sale on the 2nd July 2008, lot 214 which achieved £25,200 (Buyer's Premium included) was the set of three and each also had the gilded detail.