George II Sterling Silver Warwick Cruet Frame

hallmarked London, 1755-56, by Samuel Wood (1704-1794; free 1730/31), of traditional cinquefoil form raised on four double "S"-scroll legs and union shell feet, with five circular molded receptacles faced by a rococo cartouche, all surrounding a central baluster standard with acanthus-crested stirrup-ring handle, fitted with one large, h. 6-1/2", and two small, h. 5-1/4", baluster-form casters, all with intricately pierced caps and vasiform finials, and two glass cruet bottles cut in a fluted lozenge pattern with cylindrical sterling caps with domed tops, the frame cartouche engraved with the arms of Dundas impaling Hawkins.
overall h. 9", w. 7-1/2", d. 7"; 41.97 total t. oz. (excluding glass bottles)

In overall good condition, with no breaks or repairs noted. One foot of the frame is bent at a very slight angle. The casters and frame show notable wear to the surface detail, commensurate with age. The caster caps are in good shape with no breaks or losses to the piercing. One cap has had three of its six pierced panels covered on the inside with sheet silver, but this does not appear to be a repair but rather an addition to restrict the flow of the caster's contents. The sleeve of one of the small casters is slightly bent out of round, and the other has a very small 1/8" split at the sleeve edge. Nicely hatched armorial. The glass bottles are in good condition, with some scattered small nicks and frits, especially around the perimeter of base and rim, but no cracks or breaks. The bottlenecks are ground to fit a specific cap, which fit snugly when on the proper bottle, suggesting that the bottles are probably original. Hallmarked (on the underside of the frame and each caster) with: 1) the sterling lion passant; 2) the London crowned Leopard's head; 3) the date letter "n" for 1755-1756; and 4) the "S.W" maker's mark of Samuel Wood. The marks on the frame are excellent, nice and crisp, and those on the caster also quite good and fully legible but somewhat crowded. The caster caps are part-marked on the sleeve with the lion passant and maker's mark, all worn from use but legible, and the detachable handle is also part-marked on the edge of the ring, but illegible. The caster caps unmarked. The underside of the frame additionally with inked accession number "65.00529".