Vintage Colman’s Mustard Glass Pot with EPNS Hinged Lid & Spoon

Vintage Colman’s Mustard Glass Pot with EPNS Hinged Lid & original Spoon

9 cm tall

4 cm round at base

A wonderfully characterful vintage Colman’s mustard table pot, with a clear cut-glass body, bold blue COLMAN’S lettering, an EPNS silver-plated hinged lid, and its little mustard spoon. This is the sort of charming dining-table piece that instantly evokes old cafés, family Sunday lunches, hotel cruets and the golden age of British condiments.

The glass pot has a pleasing heavy feel, with vertical cut/fluted sides and a thick base. The lid is marked EPNS, meaning electro plated nickel silver — a base metal plated with silver, widely used for practical tableware in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The hinged lid has a domed form with decorative finial and a spoon rest/notch, designed so the spoon could remain in place while the lid closed.

Colman’s is one of Britain’s great heritage food names. The company was founded in Norwich in 1814 by Jeremiah Colman and became famous for its sharp English mustard, later trading as J. & J. Colman after James Colman joined the business in 1823. The brand became strongly associated with Norwich and with its distinctive mustard identity, including the famous yellow packaging and bull’s-head branding. Colman’s remains one of the oldest names in British condiments, now part of Unilever.

This piece is especially appealing because it is not just a plain cruet pot — it is a branded Colman’s advertising/tableware item, making it collectable for lovers of British advertising, kitchenalia, condiment history, café ware and social history.

Condition

In good vintage condition with age-related wear. There is rubbing and and minor loss to the blue Colman’s lettering, tarnish and darkening to the EPNS lid and spoon, and general signs of use commensurate with age. The interior shows residue/patina and would benefit from a careful clean if desired. The wear adds to its authentic period charm rather than detracting from it.

Details

Type: Vintage Colman’s mustard pot / table cruet

Material: Cut glass body, EPNS silver-plated lid and spoon

Markings: EPNS to lid; Colman’s lettering to glass

Date: Likely early to mid-20th century

Style: British kitchenalia / advertising ware / tableware