Casters

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These three baluster-shaped silver casters were made in Edinburgh in 1710-11 by Henry Bethune. Casters often came in sets of three for sugar, pepper and mustard. Scottish baluster casters are extremely rare; full sets from this period are almost unknown.

Each caster body is engraved with the initials, 'S' 'R' 'D' 'D' 'I' 'P'. The casters on the left and right have pierced covers which are fitted with interior bayonet mounts. Such mounts avoid interference with the clean curves of the external design.

Casters were used for sugar and spices from the later part of the 17th century. New trade routes introduced new foodstuffs, and tableware developed in response.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-079-076-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.1994.742.3 B
• Date: 1710 - 1711
  1710 - 1711
  1710 - 1711
  1710 - 1711
  1710 - 1711
  1710 - 1711
  1710-11
  
• Material: Silver
  Silver
  Silver
  Silver. Inscription: S / R / D / D / I P
  Silver. Inscription: S / R D / D / I P
  Silver. Inscription: S / R D / D / I P
  Caster / body
  Caster / body
  Caster / body
  Caster / cover
  Caster / cover
  Caster / cover
  
• Dimensions: 165 mm H with body
  165 mm H with cover
  165 mm H with cover
  165 mm with body
  210 mm H with body
  210 mm H with cover
  
• What: Caster / body
  Caster / body
  Caster / body
  Caster / cover
  Caster / cover
  Caster / cover
  
• Subject:
• Who: Henry Bethune, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  Henry Bethune, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  Henry Bethune, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  Henry Bethune, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  Henry Bethune, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  Henry Bethune, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Pear-shaped body of baluster-shaped silver caster, the large pierced one in a set of three, by Henry Bethune, Edinburgh, 1710 - 1711
  Cover with an acorn finial of a baluster-shaped silver caster, the large pierced one of a set of three, by Henry Bethune, Edinburgh, 1710 - 1711
  Pear-shaped body of a baluster-shaped silver caster, the small blind one of a set of three, by Henry Bethune, Edinburgh, 1710 - 1711
  Cover with an acorn finial of a baluster-shaped silver caster, the small blind one of a set of three, by Henry Bethune, Edinburgh, 1710 - 1711
  Pear-shaped body of a baluster-shaped silver caster, the small pierced one of a set of three, by Henry Bethune, Edinburgh, 1710 - 1711
  Cover with an acorn finial of a baluster-shaped silver caster, the small pierced one of a set of three, by Henry Bethune, Edinburgh, 1710 - 1711
  
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