George II Large Sterling Silver Pepper Pot / Sugar Sifter, Samuel Wood, 1740, 173 G

Superb early George II sterling silver pepper pot / sugar caster / muffineer made by Samuel Wood, the premier maker of casters during this period.

Plain baluster body rests on a stepped pedestal foot and is decorated with reeded borders; the hand-pierced pull-off lid has a bell-shaped finial and ornate design of alternating dotted panels and scrolling openwork.

The underside of the base is stamped with a full set of hallmarks with matching part marks to the cover.

Samuel Wood was a specialist caster maker who was apprenticed in 1721 to Thomas Bamford - another caster maker. Wood entered his first mark at Goldsmiths Hall in 1733 and was responsible for the best quality casters through the mid-18th century.

Made by Samuel Wood and fully assayed for London, 1740

172.86 g / 5.56 t oz
15.5 cm tall
6 cm across the widest part
5 cm across the base

Excellent antique condition. The rim of the lid is a bit uneven; small ding to lid; tiny dings to top of finial.