Royal Winton cruets & condiments (made by Grimwades Ltd.) (England)

A cruet also known as a caster, is a small container to hold condiments such as oil, vinegar, mustard, pepper. Its shape and adornments will depend on the specific condiment for which it is designed. For example a cruet for liquids may have a jug-like shape, while a cruet for a spice may be cylindrical with a lid and perhaps a small spoon for serving.

Cruets were made in silver, silver plate, ceramic and glass, and sometimes a combination of two materials, usually as a glass body with a silver or silver plated top.

The earliest cruets, from the more... beginning of the 18th century were known as "Warwick cruets" after a cruet set made by Anthony Nelme in 1715 for the Duke of Warwick, and include three elaborately decorated and shaped matching silver casters, usually with one unpierced, which held powdered mustard, and the other two for oil and vinegar, combined in a stand with a handle enabling it to be passed between dinner guests.

In the Victorian era with more elaborate dining settings, the number of condiments used during a meal increased, as did the number of containers in the cruet set, and some cruet sets contained up to six or eight containers, either arranged tw-by-two, or in a circular container. Glass bottles replaced the silver containers of the earlier era and the holders became simpler, sometimes being a metal frame attached to the base.

Completeness and originality is important when purchasing a cruet set, and missing containers, replaced containers and missing or chipped stoppers will depreciate the value of a cruet set.

Another type of cruet set is an egg cruet, typically consisting of four to eight egg cups in a stand, often with a spoon for each egg cup. These were mainly made in silver or silver plate, and occasionally ceramic. The egg cups may fit in rings, or over a stud on the base of the stand. Sometimes the interiors of the egg cups are gilded to prevent corrosion. The stands are either solid, or a framework with a handle. less...

Grimwades was a pottery manufacturer based in Stoke-on-Trent, England, that operated from 1900 to 1964. The company was founded by Leonard Lumsden Grimwade, who had previously worked for the famous pottery firm Wedgwood.

Grimwades initially produced a wide range of pottery, including dinnerware, vases, and decorative items, but they soon became known for their high-quality earthenware teapots. These teapots were popular in England and were exported around the world, particularly to the United States.

In the early 20th century, Grimwades began to produce a line of pottery called "Royal Winton," which was produced from the early 20th more... century until the 1960s. The pottery is known for its brightly colored and whimsical designs, which were inspired by the Art Deco movement of the time.

Royal Winton pieces were typically made of earthenware and were often decorated with intricate patterns, florals, or scenes from nature. Some of the most popular designs included "Marguerite," "Summertime," and "Sweet Pea."

Under the Royal Winton brand, the company also produced a line of "Chintz" ware, which was highly sought after by collectors.

One of the most distinctive features of Royal Winton pottery is its use of lustreware. Lustreware is a type of pottery that has a metallic sheen, typically created by applying a thin layer of metal oxide to the surface of the piece. Royal Winton used lusterware extensively in their designs, giving their pieces a distinctive shimmer.

During World War II, Grimwades produced pottery for the war effort, including gas mask containers and mess tins. After the war, the company continued to produce pottery, but competition from other manufacturers and changing consumer tastes led to its decline.

In 1964 Grimwades Ltd was acquired by the Howard Pottery Group and the business traded as Royal Winton. less...