Object Record
Images
Additional Images [1]
Metadata
Object ID # |
2015.048.003abcd |
Object Name |
Caster |
Title |
Pickle Castor & Pickle Tongs Set |
Date |
Late 19th-century |
Year Range from |
1885 |
Year Range to |
1893 |
Place of Origin |
Toronto, Ontario |
Description |
A silver-plated metal and pinkish-red (ruby) textured glass pickle castor (pickle cruet) tableware item. It is stamped inside with THE ACME SILVER CO. and the company's logo, as well as with "346" and a 3970W is engraved. A: Stand B: Lid C: Cylindrical glass insert D: Silver-plated pickle tongs that hang on the side hook. The tongs have a floral motif at the area where one grasps them to squeeze when selecting a pickle. The two ends have triple talon-like points for grasping each pickle as it is pulled out of the glass insert. The frame has an ornate openwork top area with maples leaves. Two floral motifs are above the upright rods of the frame. The lid is also ornate, with a fancy lift finial. |
Makers mark |
Interior underside of the base is stamped with a circular logo for THE ACME SILVER CO. TORONTO QUADRUPLE PLATE (these two words are separated on two banners), and with a man in the crescent moon and stars logo. The model number "346" is also impress-stamped. An engraved 3970W mark looks younger? Perhaps it was added as a security number? |
Provenance |
Manufactured in Toronto by The Acme Silver Co. (began in 1885). In 1893 (or 1895), the company was liquidated and succeeded by the Standard Silver Co. The item was owned by/used by the Hugh and Jane McKay family, who farmed in the Annan area one mile north of Leith, Sydenham Township, Grey County. Mrs. McKay (nee Jane Chadwick) was originally from a prominent Toronto family. Inherited by one of her sons, Donald Gordon McKay, and next inherited by his daughter, Donna McKay-Mills. |
Collection |
Food Service Tools & Equipment |
Material |
Metal/Glass/Silver |
Found |
Leith, Municipality of Meaford, Grey County |
People |
McKay, Hugh |
Subjects |
Tableware Dining rooms Dining tables Dinner parties |
Search Terms |
Victorian |
Function |
A fancy tableware or sideboard item. The glass insert would be taken out and filled with pickles. The set would be placed on the table and the lid placed on it. The pickle tongs usually hung on the frame of the castor, until required. The tongs were hand-squeezed to withdraw a pickle from the glass insert. The insert could be cleaned afterwards when the pickles were used up. Fancy items like this often made good wedding gifts. Sometimes they were called "pickle stands"or "pickle cruets". The family that owned this set were farmers in the Leith area of Sydenham Township. |