When I saw the long shelf of ruby and clear glass containers, I thought they were pretty, but I wasn’t sure what they were. They were surrounded by other long shelves filled with lovely antique glassware.
Someone mentioned to me that they were pickle jars, but the auction-house catalog sheet described them as pickle castors (although the word was misspelled).
What I did know, unfortunately, was that they would not sell for the big bucks the collector likely paid for them.
The catalog sheet put their time period from the 1880s to 1900. An auction-house staffer told me that they had been part of one person’s collection, as were the porcelain condensed milk containers and carnival glass on surrounding shelves.
Pickle castors were a must in the Victorian homes of the well-to-do in the late 19th century to hold pickled vegetables and fruit. They were part of the table setting, their pretty designs and colors blending in effortlessly.
The inserts included glass prepared as pressed, cut, etched and clear that was sometimes tinged with gold. The metal frames were silver or silver-plated and adorned with animals.
Having the castors on the table spoke of the family’s wealth because the pickled food was done by the kitchen help.
The interest in pickle castors faded for much of the 20th century but was revived in the 1980s. Like most other wares, there are reproductions and collectors should beware.
Most of the pickle castors at auction sold for $20 to $85, and practically all came with tongs. Three sold for more: A red glass castor with flowers, $200. A cranberry glass castor with dogwood flowers, $180. A cranberry -to-clear glass castor with flowers, $100.
Here are the pickle castors from the auction:
