Cylindrical and casket forms, with rich ornamentation in
repoussé work, with chased figures and surmounted by cover with
standing figure, are found in the sixteenth century. _E.g._ the
Standing Salt, part of the Stoke Prior treasure, dated 1563 (at
the Victoria and Albert Museum).
The Bell-shaped Salt is of the late sixteenth and early
seventeenth century, and the tall Steeple Salt belongs to the
same period. The above types often had compartments in tiers
reserved for spices.
[Illustration: OCTAGONAL SALT CELLAR.
With four guards. London, 1679.
Having the arms of the company and inscribed “_Ex dono Henrici
Sumner. Mr._” This is known as the Sumner Salt, the gift of the
Master of that date.
Greatest height 8³/₈ in.
(For marks see p. 357.)
(_By courtesy of the Mercers’ Company._)]
The circular and octagonal forms of lesser height, with three
and sometimes four guards with scroll ends, belong to the
seventeenth century.
=Trencher Salts.=--These were in use contemporaneously with the tall
standing salts, either on less formal occasions or at the lower
end of the table below _the_ salt.
Early forms in the first half of the seventeenth century are
circular (1603) or triangular (1630). These were diminutive,
measuring only some 3 inches across, and being sometimes only 1
inch high.
=Eighteenth-century Salts.=--A great variety of form is apparent,
and many styles succeeded each other, disappearing only to be
revived a quarter of a century later. Circular (1698-1710),
oval, octagonal (1715-40), tripod (1750). Circular with three
feet; oblong and octagonal, slightly taller (1775), with
pierced work on four feet, and with glass liner. Oblong, plain,
with four feet. Tureen-shaped or boat-shaped, plain, with
swelling foot, sometimes with rings as handles, or with two
handles (1780). Shell-shaped salts in vogue 1788; circular,
vase-shaped, with lions’ heads and tripod feet (1798).
=Early Nineteenth-century Salts.=--George IV and William IV styles,
a reversion to some of the older types. The tureen and the
circular-shaped salt, with four or three feet (1820-1830).
Circular bowls on stands, with tripod and elaborate feet, the
fashion (1810-1830). Many pieces betray classical influence.
The illustrations of the various types of salt cellars should be
sufficient to indicate to the reader the great field which is open to
him. The examples range from the rarer earlier periods to the beginning
of the nineteenth century. The descriptions given of the successive
stages in fashion and in design should stimulate the interest of the
student in regard to the undercurrents of evolution progressive, and
often retrogressive, through three centuries of the silversmith’s art.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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