A silver mustard jar

Silver mustard jars, also known as mustard pots, are elegant objects that combine practicality with artistry. Created to hold one of the world’s oldest condiments, they evolved over time from simple containers to refined expressions of silversmithing craftsmanship and social status.

In their earliest form, mustard was not the smooth paste familiar today but rather a dry powder, mixed at the table with water or vinegar to taste (Silver Collection, n.d.). This practice changed during the 18th century as prepared or “wet” mustard gained popularity, particularly in Britain. The shift encouraged the creation of specialized vessels for serving mustard at the dining table, leading to the appearance of silver mustard pots.

The earliest known silver mustard jars date to around 1724, crafted by renowned English silversmiths such as Jacob Margas and Paul de Lamerie (Silver Collection, n.d.). Early examples were simple in form but soon reflected the stylistic trends of their times, from the ornate Rococo of the 18th century to the elegant neoclassical and later Victorian styles.

Most mustard jars share a few key features. They typically have a hinged lid, designed to prevent the mustard from drying out or attracting insects, and a small slot or indentation for a spoon (Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver [ASCAS], 2013). Because mustard contains acidic and sulfurous compounds, direct contact with silver could cause corrosion. To avoid this, silversmiths began adding glass or crystal liners, often in a rich cobalt blue hue, that protected the metal and enhanced the vessel’s beauty (ASCAS, 2013).

Regional variations emerged as silversmithing traditions spread across Europe. In France, 19th-century silversmiths produced ornate mustard pots made from high-fineness silver, often decorated with pierced floral or scroll motifs and fitted with delicate crystal liners (ASCAS, 2015). In England, Georgian and Regency pieces often featured engraved cartouches, pierced fretwork, and distinctive maker’s marks. A London mustard pot crafted in 1798 by Samuel Godbehere, Edward Wigan, and William Abdy II is a representative example of this refined craftsmanship (ASCAS, 2013).

By the Edwardian period (early 20th century), silver mustard jars had become well-established dining accessories. Though their everyday use declined with modern tableware trends, they continued to symbolize refinement and taste. Later makers, such as Charles Clement Pilling in early 1900s England, maintained the tradition, producing pieces with matching spoons and hallmarks (ASCAS, 2014).

Beyond their functional purpose, silver mustard jars reflected social values. Displaying one on the dining table signaled wealth, sophistication, and attention to detail. They also demonstrate the silversmith’s technical and artistic skill, from precise hinge construction to intricate engraving. Today, collectors prize these items for their craftsmanship, completeness (especially intact liners and spoons), and clear hallmarking.

Thus, silver mustard jars are more than mere table accessories. They encapsulate centuries of European dining culture and artistic innovation, representing the meeting point of function, beauty, and tradition.

Silver Mustard pot made by Jan Buysen in ca. 1806, glass was added later.

Made in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

References:

Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver. (2013). Window on the World of Mustard Pots. Retrieved from https://www.ascasonline.org/windowLUGLI62.html

Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver. (2014). Edwardian Mustard Pots by Charles Clement Pilling. Retrieved from https://www.ascasonline.org/windowluglio39.html

Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver. (2015). French Silver Mustard Pots, 19th Century Examples. Retrieved from https://www.ascasonline.org/windowmaggi48.html

Silver Collection. (n.d.). Dictionary of Silver Objects: Mustard Pot. Retrieved from https://www.silvercollection.it/dictionarymustardpot.html