London Britannia Silver Sugar Caster, 1920s

• Britannia Standard - A higher grade of silver than sterling silver. Britannia standard silver contains at least 958 parts per thousand of pure silver, while sterling silver contains at least 925 parts per thousand of pure silver.
  
  The Britannia standard was obligatory in Britain between 1697 and 1720 and after that was optional, so there are very few silver items that come onto the market that are Britannia standard.
  
  Not to be confused with silver plated Britannia metal items, often marked as "EPBM", a pewter type alloy, that when unplated can be temporarily polished to a silver-like lustre.
• Caster - Casters are so-called because they ?cast? their contents over food. They consist of a container, usually in silver or pewter with a removable perforated top which allows for the sprinkling of condiments such as sugar, pepper and nutmeg.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Ltd., London - silver items 127
• sugar sifters, casters and shakers - silver items 337