The mustard pot opens up to reveal a silver/gilt spoon with mouse finial that cleverly sits in the owls beak, complete with original display/presentation box.
This fabulous, novelty, owl mustard pot, with exquisite and surprisingly heavy workmanship is fully hallmarked WC for William Comyns, with the 925 silver standard mark, leopards head, assay office mark for London, and the lion passant.
Condition: excellent original condition with no damage or repairs. It does have some beautiful age- related silver patina/patination, commensurate with it's age, but nothing unusual.
Please note: photo 12 is for reference only. Just to show what this owl/mouse mustard pot looks like sitting next to the owl salt and pepper pots.
William Comyns ...
This important firm of manufacturing silversmiths was established by William Comyns circa 1859 when he purchased the business of Robert Tagg, itself said to have been founded about 1730.
Robert Tagg succeeded John Tapley at 40 Roupell Street, Waterloo Road. Robert Tagg moved in 1857 to his new residence and manufactory at 2 Carlise Street, Soho Square, where by 1859 he too was listed as a silversmith.
William Comyns, thereafter listed as a silversmith, appears to have purchased the business in 1858 or early 1859, entering his first marks from the first same address. He moved to 1 Percy Mews, Rathbone Place, the to 16 Silver Street, Golden Square, Soho, and subsequently to Beak Street, Regent Street. These premised were later expanded to 41, 43, 45, 47 Beak Street.
Additional premised were taken from circa 1903 at 54 Marshall Street, Soho. The style of the firm was changed to William Comyns & Son circa 1885 when William Comyn's two sons, Charles Harling Comyns and Richard Harling Comyns were admitted to their partnership.
William Comyns died in January 1916, and C.H. Comyns while attending a sale in Christie's in 1925. The business was incorporated as a limited liability company as William Comyn's & Sons Ltd., registered on 20th October 1930, with R.H. Comyns as permanent governing director.
Upon the latter's death in 1953, when the firm is said to have lost its former prominence, William Comyns & Sons Ltd was purchased by Bernard Copping. They are now one of the few surviving manufacturing silversmiths in London, with premises at Comyns House, Tower Street, London, WC2.
William Comyns first appears to have made a significant impact in the early 1880s by supplying increasingly large numbers of decorative wares in silver, many of which were die-stamped. London retailers of their products at this period included Henry Lewis, Howell & James Ltd.
Dimensions as follows ...
Owl mustard ... Mouse Spoon ...
Height: 4.25 inches or 10.7 cm Length: 2.3 inches or 5.8 cm
Width: 2.25 inches or 5.5 cm Width: 0.8 inch or 2 cm (widest point)
Depth: 2.75 inches or 7 cm Depth: 0.75 inch or 1.9 cm (deepest point)
Weight: 508.2 grams or 17.9 oz Weight: 9.6 grams or 0.34 oz
Total silver weight: 517.8 or 18.2 oz
Interesting, quality and unusual, novelty, silver items have become so highly collectable and would add value to any silver collection. A stylish, silver/gilt, owl mustard pot, that has stunning detailed decoration. A real must for any serious silver collector.
Beautiful, quality, interesting and unusual, novelty, William Comyns, contemporary and modernist, silver/gilt items are really appreciating in value. So real investment potential with this delightful owl and mouse mustard pot.
This magnificent, silver/gilt, owl and mouse, mustard pot, would make an ideal gift.
The mustard pot will be sent out recorded, special delivery with insurance.
Please note, all our international postal charges are only estimates and will be confirmed and altered up or down when we know the destination of where items are being sent. Please also note, we only charge actual costs of postage and packaging with insurance, no more.
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