Here we have a lovely George II Sterling Silver Muffineer. The muffineer is pear shaped with a circular stepped foot, a low domed pierced top and a turned finial. There are no initials or personalisation of any kind.

Muffineers, sometimes called bun peppers, were popular in the first half of the 18th century and were used for sprinkling fine sugar, cinnamon or other sweet spices onto hot buttered muffins.

The muffineer was made in London and dates to 1749. The maker was I W. This particular mark from the 1740s to 1760s is almost certainly in one of the lost 18th century ledgers however many experts believe it is an early mark for James Waters who was active during this period and later registered a very similar mark which does survive.

Condition is good, with a few small dings and one slight bruise in the body, commensurate with an item that has seen over 275 years of use. The lid is a little loose but stays in place during sprinkling. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The muffineer is 9.6cm / 3.8ins high and 4.5cm / 1.8ins across at its widest part. It weighs in at a respectable 53.9g / 1.9oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks, on the underside of the base, are a little rubbed as you would expect but still clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the crowned leopard's head assay mark for London, the date letter o for 1749 and the I.W in a circle makers' mark, which may be the early mark of James Waters.