Description
A sterling silver caster sugar dispenser of circular ‘beer-glass’ form with collet foot and a stepped, domed, removable cover and finial. Internally, the finial engages with a sprung shaft contained within a central tube held in position by a pierced, spoked ring, the shaft terminating in a splayed disc located within the foot; all are of sterling silver. The dispenser is undecorated.
Hallmarks
Marks on Dispenser Body
Marks on Cover
Body: Lion Passant (Sterling); Leopard’s Head (London); upper case ‘D’ (1939-40). The maker’s mark of script capitals ‘R W’ over ‘B’ in a trefoil punch is consistent with Harrods Ltd (Richard Woodman Burbridge); Sir Richard Burbridge was Managing Director of Harrods.
Cover (external) and pierced ring supporting internal tube: Lion Passant; Leopard’s Head. Upper shaft attached to finial: Lion Passant.
Design Patent
The underside of the dispensing disc carries design no. 33392 and Patent No. 408295. Internal arrangements are shown below:
Dimensions & Weights
Dispenser (diameter at top): 5.8 cm / 2 ¼ in (diameter of base): 5.4 cm / 2 1/8 in
Height (to finial): 14 cm / 5 ½ in
Weight: 256 gm / 8.2 ozT