Set of four casters 1733 - 1734

This is one of a set of four silver casters, about six inches tall, crafted by Paul de Lamerie. De Lamerie, born in the Netherlands to French Huguenot parents, later became a prominent silversmith in London. These casters weren’t just decorative objects; they were tools that reinforced social hierarchies. Sugar, spices, and the labor required to obtain them, were accessible only to the wealthy. Silver, too, signified status, so owning such ornate casters displayed one’s elevated position in society. Note the pierced top, designed to evenly distribute powdered sugar or spices. Such items transformed ordinary meals into elaborate displays of wealth and taste. The craftsmanship speaks to de Lamerie’s skill and the economic disparities of the time, when even the simple act of seasoning food could become a statement of power.