ANTIQUE SILVER CRUET SETS

First recorded in the UK at the beginning of the 18th Century, the cruet set was the precursor to the now more widely used condiment set. A cruet set was traditionally used to hold oil, vinegar, pepper and powdered mustard, with the ‘Warwick’ cruet being the original and highly sought after design, named after an example made in 1715 by Anthony Nelme for the Earl of Warwick. Towards the end of the Georgian period much larger sets started to be produced as more condiments were desired on the table. Good condition 18th Century sets, and novelty examples, are desired by collectors today.