{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O78458"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O78458/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM6298/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM6298/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AM6298","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O78458/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O78458","accessionNumber":"M.1677&A-1944","objectType":"Sugar caster","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"<b>Object Type</b><br>Sets of  casters developed in the late 17th century. The sugar caster was usually larger than the other vessels. Most casters have a pierced top, as here, for sprinkling the condiments. On the grandest tables,  the sets of casters would be grouped around an epergne (an ornamental table piece, often with several bowls) displaying fruit, so that the guests could help themselves to the condiments.<br><br><b>Design</b><br>Casters were made in a variety of styles reflecting the fashionable taste of the time. Most have an upright, vertical form, such as a cylinder, vase or pear shape, which can be easily held. The cover is generally in the form of a dome. The plain or octagonal pear-shaped casters, from which this caster derives, first made their appearance in 1700-1710.<br><br><b>Trading</b><br>Casters could be bought singly, as a set of  three or six, or as part of a centrepiece set. In 1750 the goldsmith George Wickes supplied a set of  silver casters to a Mr Mead for £13 9s 2d, but he also made a silver vase caster for the Hon.  Arthur Hill for £14 11s 6d. The high cost of the vase caster must reflect elaborate and expensive decoration.","physicalDescription":"","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Delmestre, John","id":"A8335"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"AAT251917"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver, embossed and engraved","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Food vessels & Tableware","id":"THES48952"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AM6298"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"118A (VA)","id":"THES49236"},"free":"","case":"CA5","shelf":"","box":"36"},{"current":{"text":"118A (VA)","id":"THES49236"},"free":"","case":"CA5","shelf":"","box":"36"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Caster","id":""}],[{"text":"Caster lid","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1762-1763","earliest":"1762-01-01","latest":"1763-12-31"},"association":{"text":"hallmarked","id":"x32454"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by W. J. Johnson","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"17.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"6.4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Dimensions checked: Registered Description; 01/10/1999 by RK","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Engraved with a swan rising from a coronet","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":"A8877"},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"Made in London by John Delmestre (active from 1755)","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"British Galleries:\nThis sugar caster is typical of the fashionable dining objects owned by wealthy families in the late 18th century. It was placed in a prominent postion on the table and used to accompany a rich dessert. Casters were also used for sprinkling salt, pepper, mustard powder and other spices on food.","date":{"text":"27/03/2003","earliest":"2003-03-27","latest":"2003-03-27"}}],"partNumbers":["M.1677-1944","M.1677A-1944"],"accessionNumberNum":"1677","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1944,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Caster","Caster lid"],"assets":["2019LN2058","2019LN2571","2019LR1157","2019LP5504","2019LP0475","2019LR4181","2019LV0346","2019LV4942"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-12","recordCreationDate":"2003-03-27","availableToBook":false}}