Antique French sterling silver mustard pot with vernis martin lacquered insert. Richly enhanced in gold vermeil finish, the silver mount features exquisite rococo style ornamentation of foliage and rocailles. With an ornate silver framework encasement on a pedestal base housing a Vernis Martin main body painted with lovers and various flowers. Elaborate silver handle and hinged lid topped by a superbly casted floral cluster finial and elegant spiral fluting. Opening to reveal a gorgeous gold vermeil interior with cut glass liner. In overall good antique condition. There is a small chip in the vernis martin on the side near the handle, shown in the images. The liner might not be original but fits well in the mustard pot. Silver mounts are hallmarked with the French Minerve 1st standard mark, in use from 1838, which depicts the goddess Minerva with a number 1 beside her denoting a silver content of .950/1000 (of 95% silver and a higher grade of finesse than the .925 standard for sterling silver).
Measures 4 3/8" height x 3 1/2" wide, weighs 211 grams without the glass insert
Measures 4 3/8" height x 3 1/2" wide, weighs 211 grams without the glass insert