🥇 BANNER Colonial Era Sterling Salt Shaker

[UnderMiner]

Found this over the weekend on a site of an old farmhouse. Thought it was modern but today I cleaned it and saw the hallmarks on the bottom. There are three markings: a crowned lion's head, a lion, and a "C". I think this might be over 200-year old English sterling silver. Maybe it's from the age of pirates!

Edit: Research indicates that this is indeed an early colonial artifact. It was made in London in 1738 and was probably exported to the 13 colonies shortly thereafter. Despite my initial assumptions of it being a salt shaker I'm now convinced it is a "pepper pot". This is the oldest and most unique artifact I have found to date. Thanks to all who helped in identifying and dating this rare and interesting piece. Last find of 2014. Happy New Year!






Here is the bottom showing the very old looking hallmarks:

 

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[danimal03]

neat find. I can't read the hallmarks but does look like it has some age. You don't see those found very often. I would either put it in my display case or use it. congrats!

 

[Ahab8]

Wow that's a beauty! I love how you put the age of items into perspective. I've always remember your reply to my tree coin. "From the age of the witch trials" It really hit home with me!

 

[ARC]

Super cool

 

[CRUSADER]

London 1778?

PS. 1778 seems too early because the Lion has no Crown, that I can see, I will keep looking.

 

[CRUSADER]

http://www.silvercollection.it/tavola315bis.jpg

1738 London but it needs a crown on the Lion, which is kind of damaged. If it is this date, needs confirmation, I'm voting!

 

[beez0404]

That is a great piece indeed. Very nice that it has remained in such nice condition for all these years. I generally see them all dinged up or even crushed. Hope it turns out to be early 18th century.

 

[UnderMiner]

It has a crown, it's faint but I can see it, I'll try to take a better picture.

 

[CRUSADER]

It has a crown, it's faint but I can see it, I'll try to take a better picture.

Well thats great news as the Date Letter Stamp is the best match of all the London asseyers marks. I have no knowledge of 18th C shakers, so I don't know if it fits the profile. I would think, if this date is confirmed, its a real valuable colllectable! CONGRATS

 

[UnderMiner]

Here is better pic of the marks:
I think this is indeed from 1738!

 

[pepperj]

I think that the C is more shield shape instead of a sq. Sheffield 1846

Take a look at the Date Letter Chart on the link
Sheffield Hallmarks 1 - Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks

Great find!

Then again it might very well be the early crown which puts it 1700's!

 

[UnderMiner]

Yes, it's a shield not a square so it can't be from 1846 since the 1846 is a square, so far the only "C shield" mark I can find is from 1738. Courtesy of CRUSADER : http://www.silvercollection.it/tavola315bis.jpg

 

[doninbrewster]

It would really be nice if you could pinpoint the date and manufacturer. Either way, I think it's a great piece and I'm jealous!

 

[dirtlooter]

beautiful find, very nice, congrats.. sweet find in many ways

 

[pepperj]

Yes, it's a shield not a square so it can't be from 1846 since the 1846 is a square, so far the only "C shield" mark I can find is from 1738. Courtesy of CRUSADER : http://www.silvercollection.it/tavola315bis.jpg

This shows the 1738 as well
London Hallmarks 1 - Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks

 

[The Patriot]

very unique piece…first I see being found..

 

[ARC]

upon closer inspection of the lion mark...is killing me... no what I first thought... I need "reader" glasses and my eyeballs are killing me now... The pic is really good man... but weird was not what originally thought... I saw no wiskers and knew it to be early... but how early... I wish that mark was clearer.

 

[ironhorse]

That's a very interesting find!

I wasn't aware that seasonings had shakers in that time period, but have since seen some, I expected a salt cellar for that

If I was a betting man I would have called it a powder shaker , to powder set pen ink

very nice early find

 

[villagenut]

Hard to believe we can dig these things up in this condition, certainly not always the case...but that one is about perfect in my book.A great piece, now how about the paired one for pepper? Could it be nearby, or did the early folks not use both seasonings??

 

[ARC]

Ok first... this is a banner find.
Second... my GUESS is ... 1718 -1729 London... but someone please check this.