Fortnum & Mason Caviar Pot

Edwardian

Circa 1900 | England

An antique Edwardian caviar pot from the quintessential English luxury department store (see The Gen).

 DIMENSIONS: Diameter 9.8 cm, Height 5.2 cm.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Base incised with either ‘307’ or ‘807’; the first number is indecipherable. 

CONDITION: In good condition, with wear commensurate with antique age and use, such as chips and stains. The lid has light general marks and stains to the lower front. The base has lots of chips all around. These all add to the history of the piece and wonder of the stories it could tell.

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THE GEN

“Fortnum & Masons knows full well that ‘life can be sustained by bread and water, but is given a sharp, upward boost by more imaginative combination of caviar and champagne.’ With characteristic British understatement, the meeting of Mr. Fortnum and Mr. Mason is described in the accompanying brochure as creating a union ‘surpassed in its importance to the human race only by the meeting of Adam and Eve.’ According to Charles Dickens, Derby Day was not complete without luxury hampers: ‘Look where I will—in some connexion with carriages—made fast upon the top, or the accompanying box, or peeping out the window—I see Fortnum & Mason. And now, Heavens! All the hampers fly open and green Downs burst into blossom of lobster-salad.’” (The Mail Order Food Guide, Ann Tilson, Simon and Schuster, 1977, p. 118)

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