Ceramic Condiment Set Appraisal

Hand-Painted Ceramic Condiment Set on Boat-Shaped Tray

This is a vintage hand-painted ceramic condiment set, comprising two shakers and a lidded pot, all nestled in a matching boat-shaped tray. The set appears to be made of glazed ceramic or earthenware, exhibiting a somewhat whimsical and folk art aesthetic. The dominant colors in the decoration are a pastel blue and a muted off-white/cream for the base, with floral motifs in a deeper blue/purple, green leaves, and small yellow/orange birds. The boat-shaped tray features a light blue top surface with a darker purple-blue rim and base. It is adorned with similar blue floral patterns and small birds along its sides. Each shaker is cylindrical with a slightly bulbous body, topped with a lighter blue cap that has perforations for dispensing, typical of salt and pepper shakers. The central lidded pot is also cylindrical, styled to hold a condiment such as mustard or jam, and includes a small notch on its lid for a serving spoon, which is currently missing. The lid itself is cream-colored with light blue accents. Condition-wise, the item shows signs of age and prior use. The mention of 'Missing spoon, corks and lid has been repaired' indicates specific condition issues: the absence of the spoon for the central pot, likely missing stoppers (corks) from the shakers, and a repair to the lid of the central pot. This repair could impact the aesthetic and integrity of the piece. The overall design suggests a mid-20th century era, perhaps post-war, when hand-painted ceramic ware was popular for kitchen and dining decor. The craftsmanship appears to be reasonably good for hand-painted utilitarian ceramics, with a sturdy construction and clear, though not perfectly uniform, brushwork.