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Salt cellar

November 23, 2023

"Salt-box" redirects here. The term may also refer to Saltbox house.

A salt cellar (also called a salt, salt-box and a salt pig) is an article of tableware for holding and dispensing salt. In British English, the term can be used for what in North American English are called salt shakers.[1][2] Salt cellars can be either lidded or open, and are found in a wide range of sizes, from large shared vessels to small individual dishes. Styles range from simple to ornate or whimsical, using materials including glass and ceramic, metals, ivory and wood, and plastic.

An English glass salt cellar, circa 1720

Use of salt cellars is documented as early as ancient Rome. They continued to be used through the first half of the 20th century; however, usage began to decline with the introduction of free-flowing salt in 1911, and at last they have been almost entirely replaced by salt shakers.

Salt cellars were an early collectible as pieces of silver, pewter, glass, etc. Soon after their role at the table was replaced by the shaker, salt cellars became a popular collectible in their own right.

Etymology edit

 
Black-glaze salt cellar. Terracotta, 5th century BC, Athens.

The word salt cellar is attested in English from the 15th century. It combines the English word salt with the Anglo-Norman word saler, which already by itself meant "salt container".[3]

Salt cellars are known, in various forms, by assorted names including open salt, salt dip, standing salt, master salt, and salt dish. A master salt is the large receptacle from which the smaller, distributed, salt dishes are filled; according to fashion or custom it was lidded, or open, or covered with a cloth. A standing salt is a master salt, so-named because it remained in place as opposed to being passed.[4] A trencher salt is a small salt cellar located next to the trencher (i.e., place setting).[5] Open salt and salt dip refer to salt dishes that are uncovered.

The term salt cellar is also used generally to describe any container for table salt, thus encompassing salt shakers and salt pigs.

History edit

 
Cellini's Salt Cellar, made for Francis I of France, 1540–1543. Gold, partly enameled, with an ebony base. Depicts Earth and Sea personified.

Greek artifacts from the classical period in the shape of small bowls are often called salt cellars. Their function remains uncertain, though they may have been used for condiments including salt.[6] The Romans had the salinum, a receptacle typically of silver and regarded as essential in every household. The salinum had ceremonial importance as the container of the (salt) offering made during the meal, but it was also used to dispense salt to diners.[7]

During the Middle Ages, elaborate master salt cellars evolved. Placed at the head table, this large receptacle was a sign of status and prosperity, prominently displayed. It was usually made of silver and often decorated in motifs of the sea. In addition to the master salt, smaller, simpler salt cellars were distributed for diners to share; these could take forms as simple as slices of stale bread.[5][8] The social status of guests could be measured by their positions relative to the master's large salt cellar: high-ranking guests sat above the salt while those of lesser importance sat below the salt.[9]

 
Formal place setting for a 12 course dinner; individual salt cellar at top of place setting

Large, ornate master salts continued to be made through the Renaissance and Baroque periods, becoming more ceremonial. In England, the ornamental master salt came to be called a standing salt, because it was not passed but remained in place. By 1588, reference is documented in England to the "trencher salt"; by the early 18th century, these had mostly supplanted large salts.[10][11] Tiny salt spoons appear in the 17th century, and in increasing numbers as the use of trencher salts increased.[12]

The advent of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th to early 19th centuries rendered both salt and salt cellars commonplace.[13] From about 1825 pressed glass manufacture became an industry and thrived; because they were easy to mold, salt cellars were among the earliest items mass-produced by this method.[14] Similarly, the development of Sheffield plate (18th century), then electroplating (19th century), led to mass production of affordable silver-plated wares, including salt cellars.

Salt shakers began to appear in the Victorian era,[15] and patents show attempts to deal with the problem of salt clumping, but they remained the exception rather than the norm. It was not until after 1911, when anti-caking agents began to be added to table salt, that salt shakers gained favor and open salts began to fall into disuse.[16][17]

Collectibility edit

 
Open salt dish, pressed glass; Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, 1830–1835

Silver, glass, china, pewter, stoneware, and other media used in the creation of tableware are collectible and have most likely been collected for centuries. By extension, salt cellars first became collectible as pieces of silver,[18] glass,[19] etc. Whether because of their commonness (and hence affordability), or the wide variety of them, or because of their slide into anachronism and quaintness,[20] salt cellars themselves became collectible at latest by the 1930s.[21]

 
A pair of George IV Irish silver Chinoiserie salt cellars, by William Nowlan, Dublin, 1825

Although antique salt cellars are not difficult to find and can be very affordable, modern manufacturers and artisans continue to make salt cellars. Reproductions are common, as are new designs that reflect current tastes.[citation needed]

The Cracow Saltworks Museum in Wieliczka, Poland has a large collection of salt cellars. It contains over 1000 objects made of: porcelain, gold, silver, glass, wood, bone, quartz and mother-of-pearl. Those artifacts are on display in the Saltworks Castle (Zamek Żupny in Polish).[22]

 
The gothic salt cellar from around 1500 on exhibition in Saltworks Castle (the oldest object in collection)

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Salt cellar definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary". www.collinsdictionary.com.
  2. ^ "salt cellar". dictionary.cambridge.org.
  3. ^ Harper, Douglas. "Salt-cellar". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  4. ^ Watney, Sir John (1892). Some Account of the Hospital St. Thomas of Acon, in the Cheap, London, etc. London: Blades, East & Blades. p. 204.
  5. ^ a b Glanville, Philippa (2006). Silver in England. London: Routledge. pp. 43–44, 55–56. ISBN 0415382157.
  6. ^ Connor, Peter; Jackson, Heather (2000). A Catalogue of Greek Vases in the Collection of the University of Melbourne. Macmillan. p. 188. ISBN 978-1876832070.
  7. ^ Gutsfeld, Andreas (Münster) (2006). Hubert Cancik; Helmuth Schneider (eds.). "Salinum". Brill's New Pauly. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  8. ^ Scully, Terence (1995). The Art of Cookery in the Middle Ages. Boydell Press. p. 171. ISBN 978-0851154305.
  9. ^ Harper, Douglas. "Salt". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  10. ^ Yaxley, David (2003). A Researcher's Glossary of Words Found in Historical Documents in East Anglia. Larks Press. ISBN 1904006132.
  11. ^ Lawrence, Robert Means (1898). "The Folklore of Common Salt". The Magic of the Horseshoe. Houghton Mifflin.
  12. ^ Wees, Beth Carver (1997). English, Irish, & Scottish silver at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute (1 ed.). New York: Hudson Hills Press. p. 254. ISBN 1555951171.
  13. ^ Laszlo, Pierre (2002). Salt: Grain of Life. Harper Collins. pp. 152–153. ISBN 0231121989.
  14. ^ Notley, Raymond (1997). Pressed Flint Glass. UK: Shire Publications Ltd. p. 5. ISBN 0852637829.
  15. ^ Schroy, Ellen T., ed. (2005). Warman's Americana & collectibles: identification and price guide (11th ed.). Iola, Wis.: Krause. p. 418. ISBN 087349685X.
  16. ^ Moran, Mark F. (2008). Antique Trader salt and pepper shaker price guide. Iola, WI: Krause Publications Inc. p. 6. ISBN 9780896896369.
  17. ^ "Salt Cellar". CooksInfo.com. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  18. ^ Bradbury, Frederick (1912). History of Old Sheffield Plate. London: Macmillan and Co. p. 309.
  19. ^ Dyer, Walter A. (December 1906). "Old Glassware". Country Life in America. XI: 165–167.
  20. ^ Proudlove, Christopher. "Worth their salt". WriteAntiques. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  21. ^ Ormsbee, Thomas Hamilton (June 1936). "Marked and Lacy Sandwich Salt Dishes". American Collector. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  22. ^ https://muzeum.wieliczka.pl/en/collections/salt-cellars

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Salt cellars.
 
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Salt-cellar".

November 23, 2023
salt, cellar, salt, redirects, here, term, also, refer, saltbox, house, been, suggested, that, salt, merged, into, this, article, discuss, proposed, since, september, 2023, salt, cellar, also, called, salt, salt, salt, article, tableware, holding, dispensing, . Salt box redirects here The term may also refer to Saltbox house It has been suggested that Salt pig be merged into this article Discuss Proposed since September 2023 A salt cellar also called a salt salt box and a salt pig is an article of tableware for holding and dispensing salt In British English the term can be used for what in North American English are called salt shakers 1 2 Salt cellars can be either lidded or open and are found in a wide range of sizes from large shared vessels to small individual dishes Styles range from simple to ornate or whimsical using materials including glass and ceramic metals ivory and wood and plastic An English glass salt cellar circa 1720Use of salt cellars is documented as early as ancient Rome They continued to be used through the first half of the 20th century however usage began to decline with the introduction of free flowing salt in 1911 and at last they have been almost entirely replaced by salt shakers Salt cellars were an early collectible as pieces of silver pewter glass etc Soon after their role at the table was replaced by the shaker salt cellars became a popular collectible in their own right Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 Collectibility 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksEtymology edit nbsp Black glaze salt cellar Terracotta 5th century BC Athens The word salt cellar is attested in English from the 15th century It combines the English word salt with the Anglo Norman word saler which already by itself meant salt container 3 Salt cellars are known in various forms by assorted names including open salt salt dip standing salt master salt and salt dish A master salt is the large receptacle from which the smaller distributed salt dishes are filled according to fashion or custom it was lidded or open or covered with a cloth A standing salt is a master salt so named because it remained in place as opposed to being passed 4 A trencher salt is a small salt cellar located next to the trencher i e place setting 5 Open salt and salt dip refer to salt dishes that are uncovered The term salt cellar is also used generally to describe any container for table salt thus encompassing salt shakers and salt pigs History edit nbsp Cellini s Salt Cellar made for Francis I of France 1540 1543 Gold partly enameled with an ebony base Depicts Earth and Sea personified Greek artifacts from the classical period in the shape of small bowls are often called salt cellars Their function remains uncertain though they may have been used for condiments including salt 6 The Romans had the salinum a receptacle typically of silver and regarded as essential in every household The salinum had ceremonial importance as the container of the salt offering made during the meal but it was also used to dispense salt to diners 7 During the Middle Ages elaborate master salt cellars evolved Placed at the head table this large receptacle was a sign of status and prosperity prominently displayed It was usually made of silver and often decorated in motifs of the sea In addition to the master salt smaller simpler salt cellars were distributed for diners to share these could take forms as simple as slices of stale bread 5 8 The social status of guests could be measured by their positions relative to the master s large salt cellar high ranking guests sat above the salt while those of lesser importance sat below the salt 9 nbsp Formal place setting for a 12 course dinner individual salt cellar at top of place settingLarge ornate master salts continued to be made through the Renaissance and Baroque periods becoming more ceremonial In England the ornamental master salt came to be called a standing salt because it was not passed but remained in place By 1588 reference is documented in England to the trencher salt by the early 18th century these had mostly supplanted large salts 10 11 Tiny salt spoons appear in the 17th century and in increasing numbers as the use of trencher salts increased 12 The advent of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th to early 19th centuries rendered both salt and salt cellars commonplace 13 From about 1825 pressed glass manufacture became an industry and thrived because they were easy to mold salt cellars were among the earliest items mass produced by this method 14 Similarly the development of Sheffield plate 18th century then electroplating 19th century led to mass production of affordable silver plated wares including salt cellars Salt shakers began to appear in the Victorian era 15 and patents show attempts to deal with the problem of salt clumping but they remained the exception rather than the norm It was not until after 1911 when anti caking agents began to be added to table salt that salt shakers gained favor and open salts began to fall into disuse 16 17 Collectibility edit nbsp Open salt dish pressed glass Boston and Sandwich Glass Company 1830 1835Silver glass china pewter stoneware and other media used in the creation of tableware are collectible and have most likely been collected for centuries By extension salt cellars first became collectible as pieces of silver 18 glass 19 etc Whether because of their commonness and hence affordability or the wide variety of them or because of their slide into anachronism and quaintness 20 salt cellars themselves became collectible at latest by the 1930s 21 nbsp A pair of George IV Irish silver Chinoiserie salt cellars by William Nowlan Dublin 1825Although antique salt cellars are not difficult to find and can be very affordable modern manufacturers and artisans continue to make salt cellars Reproductions are common as are new designs that reflect current tastes citation needed The Cracow Saltworks Museum in Wieliczka Poland has a large collection of salt cellars It contains over 1000 objects made of porcelain gold silver glass wood bone quartz and mother of pearl Those artifacts are on display in the Saltworks Castle Zamek Zupny in Polish 22 nbsp The gothic salt cellar from around 1500 on exhibition in Saltworks Castle the oldest object in collection See also edit nbsp Food portalNef Salt spoon Salt cellar origami References edit Salt cellar definition and meaning Collins English Dictionary www collinsdictionary com salt cellar dictionary cambridge org Harper Douglas Salt cellar Online Etymology Dictionary Retrieved 31 January 2015 Watney Sir John 1892 Some Account of the Hospital St Thomas of Acon in the Cheap London etc London Blades East amp Blades p 204 a b Glanville Philippa 2006 Silver in England London Routledge pp 43 44 55 56 ISBN 0415382157 Connor Peter Jackson Heather 2000 A Catalogue of Greek Vases in the Collection of the University of Melbourne Macmillan p 188 ISBN 978 1876832070 Gutsfeld Andreas Munster 2006 Hubert Cancik Helmuth Schneider eds Salinum Brill s New Pauly Retrieved 30 October 2012 Scully Terence 1995 The Art of Cookery in the Middle Ages Boydell Press p 171 ISBN 978 0851154305 Harper Douglas Salt Online Etymology Dictionary Retrieved 29 October 2012 Yaxley David 2003 A Researcher s Glossary of Words Found in Historical Documents in East Anglia Larks Press ISBN 1904006132 Lawrence Robert Means 1898 The Folklore of Common Salt The Magic of the Horseshoe Houghton Mifflin Wees Beth Carver 1997 English Irish amp Scottish silver at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute 1 ed New York Hudson Hills Press p 254 ISBN 1555951171 Laszlo Pierre 2002 Salt Grain of Life Harper Collins pp 152 153 ISBN 0231121989 Notley Raymond 1997 Pressed Flint Glass UK Shire Publications Ltd p 5 ISBN 0852637829 Schroy Ellen T ed 2005 Warman s Americana amp collectibles identification and price guide 11th ed Iola Wis Krause p 418 ISBN 087349685X Moran Mark F 2008 Antique Trader salt and pepper shaker price guide Iola WI Krause Publications Inc p 6 ISBN 9780896896369 Salt Cellar CooksInfo com 9 December 2010 Retrieved 28 October 2012 Bradbury Frederick 1912 History of Old Sheffield Plate London Macmillan and Co p 309 Dyer Walter A December 1906 Old Glassware Country Life in America XI 165 167 Proudlove Christopher Worth their salt WriteAntiques Retrieved 3 November 2012 Ormsbee Thomas Hamilton June 1936 Marked and Lacy Sandwich Salt Dishes American Collector Retrieved 3 November 2012 https muzeum wieliczka pl en collections salt cellarsExternal links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Salt cellars nbsp Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica article Salt cellar Medieval and Renaissance Saltcellars Open Salt Collectors website Interview with a collector of open salts 6 minute video at Marthastewart com https muzeum wieliczka pl en saltcellars Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Salt cellar amp oldid 1184141461, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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