Antique gravy boats have a rich and colorful history which is why it has remained a very popular collectible for years. It’s history? It has been said that the gravy boat originated with the French, which isn’t surprising as they originated heavy sauces. In the 17th century, the French discovered the need for a container to hold sauce to prevent it from cooling and congealing. In 1780 the Duke of Argylle invented such a device that preserved the heat of the sauce with a double-layered sealed jacket that was filled with hot water.
Sauce boats, as they were once called, were simplified in the second half of the 18th century because of the growing market among the aspiring middle classes. During this time, the influence of silver diminished as the popularity of Wedgwood increased. Gravy boats became an important part of the dinner service.
In the 19th century, when gravy boats were fixed to a small platter in order to protect the tablecloth from spills. Today, it is more common to see gravy boats in a design similar to what they were over two centuries ago. Today gravy boats are a familiar presence on every Thanksgiving table.
But antique gravy boats are still an attractive buy for many china collectors. The best source of information on the availability of these sought after items is either online, through Ebay, or through your local antique stores. Fortunately, some prices are still reasonable. A recent search on Ebay found an antique silver-plated gravy boat by Francis Howard, circa 1879, for sale at approximately $30.00. However, if you have money to spend, an antique sterling silver gravy boat by the famed silversmith for Napoleon is going for a hefty $4, 875.00 as a starting bid on Ebay. Another online store to try is Etsy. Here, you can also find a variety of antique gravy boats that are available should you choose not to participate in a bidding war.
Regardless of your price range, antique gravy boats make an impressive statement for your dining room table. While gravy boats are not used every day in today’s society, they were at one time very common. Years ago, larger families sat around the dinner table and meat, potatoes and gravy were served for most meals. Today, antique gravy boats are all different. No company produces exactly the same version, which is why gravy boats, or sauce boats are such popular collector items today.
If you have an impressive collection of antique gravy boats, by all means, display them! Whether you place your priced pieces a hutch or in shelves above a buffet, you will have an instant conversation starter. Use a protective clay (sold in many hardware stores and antique stores) to attach the gravy boat to any shelving, particularly if there is no glass to protect it should an accident occur. On a side note, if any of your pieces have an impressive history, be certain to write it down and store in a safe place. Also, make sure your collection is properly insured.