This is a stunning late Victorian / Edwardian Silver plated cruet set, in the form of a basket containing three eggs & with a newly hatched chick sitting on the edge, and made by the illustrious firm of Mappin & Webb in their famous 'Prince's Plate', around 1900.

The detail in this piece is fantastic, the basket has a band of beading around the base, a bead & fluted rim, & the 'weave' of the basket is actually woven (as opposed to cast). The detail of the newly hatched chick is superb.

There are three circular cruet holders affixed to the rim of the basket.

The Pepper pot is in the form of an egg, & unscrews at the top to enable filling.

The Mustard pot is again, in the form of an egg, & hinges at the top to reveal a gilded interior. The mustard comes with it's original mustard spoon, which has a figural terminal in the form of a corn sheaf.

The Salt is in the form of half an egg shell, with superb 'cracked' edge detail & a gilded interior. The Salt comes with it's original salt spoon, which has a figural terminal in the form of a corn sheaf.

The base of the basket is fully marked with 'TRIPLE DEPOSIT' over the tri-flag mark, 'MAPPIN & WEBB'S PRINCE'S PLATE', 'LONDON & SHEFFIELD', & the hand etched number 'W 1565'.

Condition is Fine, the only things to note are that the gilding in the Salt has some light tarnish marks, & the interior base of the basket has some tarnishing & a little plate loss - absolutely minor & easily remedied.

The cruet has a diameter of approx 3 3/4" at the base, 4 1/2" at the rim, & stands approx 4" high to the top of the chick (approx 9.5 cm, 11.5 cm, & 10 cm).

Overall, a simply stunning and rare cruet, of the very highest quality from an illustrious maker, & in fantastic condition for it's 110 odd years.

PLEASE NOTE: We also have the matching triple egg cup basket.

PLEASE NOTE : We are based in Scotland, UK. If you wish to purchase in GBP (£280), please email or phone. We accept all major credit / debit cards, paypal, cheques, or payment upon collection.