Phipps & Robinson Silver Vinaigrette, London 1806

Dating from the first decade of the 19th century, this is an early example of a silver vinaigrette made in the workshop of Phipps & Robinson.

It is oval in form and elegantly plain in appearance to the outside, however opening up the hinge reveal a beautifully decorated hinged grille with a pierced band of flowers around a central flowerhead. An aromatic sponge would have been placed below the grille to allow pleasant odours to emanate and mask the less pleasant smells of Georgian city streets. 

The whole of the interior retains its original gilding with main set of hallmarks within the base and part marks to the cover. This Georgian silver vinaigrette remains in excellent condition.

Phipps & Robinson ran one of the most important silver workshops in London during the second half of George III's reign with small items, such as boxes, being a speciality.