h1 Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Pepper Shakers /h1 This pair of pepper shakers carries the stamp of a silversmith whose entire sterling silver output fits inside about a decade — making well-marked examples like this one genuinely less common than pieces from the era’s longer-running houses. h2 The Maker: Howard Sterling Co. /h2 This Providence, Rhode Island firm traces back to 1878, though it operated under a series of names before settling on Howard Sterling Co. in the 1890s. In that short window, the company built a reputation for fine, elaborate work — presentation pieces, trophies, and formal tableware — before closing by 1902. Many of its dies later passed to the Roger Williams Silver Co., which means well-marked surviving pieces like this pair represent a genuinely finite slice of American silver history. h2 Classical Revival Details /h2 The shell-mounted hoof feet and vasiform (urn-shaped) finials on these shakers are hallmarks of the Neoclassical revival that swept formal American tableware around the turn of the century — a nod back to ancient Roman furniture forms that Edwardian hosts found perfectly suited to a proper dining table. Pepper was served this way, as part of a matched pair or larger condiment set, rather than a single all-purpose shaker — a small detail that says a lot about how formally a table like this was once set. Each shaker is fully marked with the Howard Sterling stamp and pattern no. 333, and together the pair weighs a substantial 6 troy ounces. h2 A Note From Steve /h2 Pieces from short-lived makers like Howard Sterling don’t come through often, and I always look them over closely before they go on the floor. Every piece I sell carries my personal guarantee of authenticity — reach out directly if you’d like to know more about this pair, or browse our full salt and pepper shaker selection while you’re at it. Dimensions: H 4 1/4 x W 2 1/8 x D 1 3/4 in. Total weight: 6 troy ounces. #CA231