E S Barnsley & Co Ltd | Sterling Silver | Square Pepperette | Birmingham 1918 | 30g

E S Barnsley & Co Ltd | Sterling Silver | Square Pepperette | Birmingham 1918 | 30g

A small square pepperette, its waisted sides and four little feet giving it a character quite its own.

E. S. Barnsley & Co. was a Birmingham silverworking firm associated with Edward Souter Barnsley, whose E.S.B mark was first registered in 1887. The firm worked from Frederick Street and produced a range of domestic silverware, including table and condiment pieces. This pepperette carries Birmingham hallmarks for 1918, in the reign of George V.

The body is square in section, with incurved sides that narrow towards the waist and widen again towards the shoulder and base. It stands on four shaped feet at the corners, beneath small scrolled brackets, each foot ending in a rounded, lobed pad. The original square pierced cover rises to a dome with rows of round holes and is finished with a turned knop and a narrow pointed finial. The hallmarks are struck on one side of the body.

The pepperette is in excellent condition. There is fine surface scratching to the body from polishing, and no dents, splits or repairs. The cover fits well and the finial is undamaged.

Key Details

• Maker: E. S. Barnsley & Co. Ltd (Edward Souter Barnsley), Birmingham
• Material: Sterling silver
• Form: Square waisted pepperette on four shaped feet
• Cover: Original pierced square domed cover with turned knop and pointed finial
• Hallmarks: E.S.B (partly struck) | anchor (Birmingham) | lion passant | date letter t for 1918
• Period: George V
• Dimensions: 7.5cm H × 3cm × 3cm
• Weight: 30g
• Condition: Excellent — fine surface scratching; no dents, splits or repairs; cover and finial intact

Collector Appeal

A fully hallmarked pepperette by a recorded Birmingham firm. Its square, waisted body, four shaped feet and pierced domed cover set it apart from the more familiar round and baluster pepper casters of the period.

A small piece of table silver, with rather more character than its purpose required.