A Set of Three Charles Adam Britannia Silver Octagonal Casters, London, England, circa 1714
Marks: (Britannia), (lion head erased), (court letter date), AD
7-3/8 inches high (18.6 cm) (largest)
20.32 troy ounces

The three casters each of octagonal form, having double-ball finials and reticulated flourishes to removable caps, waisted baluster bodies with engraved falcon heraldic crest, raised on octagonal bases.

Notes: Charles Adam specialized in making casters and apprenticed to caster maker Francis Archbold in 1682. During the period of the Britannia standard (1697-1720), silversmiths used a .9584 silver standard and marked wares with the first two letters of their surname. The three pieces have hand scratched matching inventory control numbers which indicate this set was originally three pieces as it is currently presented: a sugar caster (largest), a mustard caster, and a pepper caster. The avian crest appears to be a period engraving.

Dent to collar below cap and a dent to lid reticulation to sugar caster, light nicking and scratches throughout, slight warping and cracking to smaller lid flange, with surface scratches commensurate with age, polishing, and use. The set presents very well and still retains strong hallmarks, an unusual attribute for pieces of this age.