Salts

Antique Silver Salt Cellars are not commonly found until the 1700’s although the use of Salt Cellars is documented as early as classical Rome. During medieval times elaborate master salt cellars evolved which had not only a practical use but above all, a ceremonial importance, indicating the relative status of persons by their position at the table in relation to the large salt.

By 1600 the Trencher Salt was in use in England however these earliest examples are extremely rare and probably you won’t find a pair of trencher salts before 1690. These salts had no feet and were made in a wide range of shapes: round, oval rectangular, triangular or octagonal. The early trencher salts were often marked inside the bowl and are often badly worn through use and cleaning.

During the late 1730s the more traditional circular salt standing on 3 legs had mainly replaced the trencher salt. This shape remained popular until the late 18th century when the advent of the Industrial Revolution rendered both salt and salt cellars commonplace. From this time onwards silver salts were produced in a variety of forms, some with blue glass liners, and these become commonplace on the English dining table.

Salt Shakers began to appear in the Victorian era, however there were problems with salt clumping. It was not until after 1911, when anti-caking agents began to be added to table salt, that salt shakers gained favour and open salts began to fall into disuse.

Salts

Circa 1698

9935 17th Century Silver Capstan Trencher Salt
Sold

A rare antique Dutch silver salt cellar, late 17th century, of square base form with canted corners. The waisted stem is beautifully engraved and chased with scroll and scalework detail, with the engraved date ‘1698’ above and initials ‘I T’. The base and circular bowl have the embossed fluting typical of the circa 1700 period. Weight 111 grams,3.5 troy ounces. Height 6.3cm. Width of base 9cm. Probably Dutch. Makers mark “HS”. Circa 1698.
Circa 1700

6554 Antique Silver Trencher Salts
Sold

A chunky pair of early antique silver salts with original gilt interiors and the remains of the gilt exterior. Britannia standard silver. Excellent quality and the heaviest type you’ll find at this date. Weight 237 grams, 7.6 troy ounces. Height 2.5 cms. Diameter 7 cms. Marked underneath but the stamps are so indistinct that only the Britannia standard mark can be made out. English. Circa 1700. This design is usually made by Huguenot silversmiths.
1709

9051 Queen Anne Antique Silver Trencher Salts
Sold

A handsome pair of early English silver trencher salts in a rare 12 sided version of the circular salt popular at the turn of the 1700’s. Britannia standard silver*. Total weight 218 grams, 7 troy ounces. Height 3.5 cms. Top 4.7 cms. Base 6.4 cms. Owners initials engraved to the underside. Marked underneath for London 1709. Maker indistinct.
1713
William Fleming
8519 Queen Anne Silver Trencher Salts
Sold

A handsome pair of early English silver trencher salts in the circular form popular at the turn of the 1700’s. Britannia standard silver*. Each has a hand engraved crest of a bird. Total weight 102 grams, 3.2 troy ounces. Height 3.5 cms. Top 5 cms. Base 7 cms. Lovely clear marks underneath for London 1713. Maker William Fleming.
1729
Louys Cuny
9140 Antique George II Silver Trencher Salt
Sold

A large and imposing antique sterling silver salt of circular form and standing on a raised pedestal foot. Extremely heavy weight. Applied cut card decoration. To the centre is a hand engraved armorial within a decorative cartouche with a motto below, on the front is a crest. Weight 229 grams, 7.3 troy ounces. Height 5.5 cm. Diameter 9 cm. London 1729. Maker Louys Cuny, a good Huguenot maker.
1731 - 1732
Paul de Lamerie
7320 Pair of George II Salt Cellars by Paul de Lamerie
Sold

A pair of superb quality silver salts by the sought after Huguenot silversmith Paul de Lamerie. Each with a beaded rim and on four scroll feet with trefid terminals. Heavy gauge metal and lovely chunky feel. The hand chased borders of decoration to the body and top of the foot are worn. Weight 338 grams, 10.8 troy ounces. Height 5 cms. Diameter 7 cms. London 1731/1732. Maker Paul de Lamerie.
1735
Edward Wood
7290 George II Silver Trencher Salts
Sold

A chunky pair of early English sterling silver trencher salts in the rectangular form popular at the start of the 18th century. Good size. Gilt interior. Weight 121 grams, 3.8 troy ounces. Height 3.5 cms. Base 8 x 6.4 cms. Top 6.7 x 5 cms. Lovely clear marks underneath for London 1735. Maker Edward Wood. Would make a good set of 4 with #7288.
Circa 1750

7819 Georgian Silver Dolphin Salts
Sold

A fine pair of antique sterling silver salt dishes with figural dolphin supports and naturalistic bases. Heavy cast silver. The detailed workmanship on these is quite exceptional and they sit very well in the hand. Each is hand engraved to the front with the crest of a lion over a crown. Traces of the original all over gilding. Weight 491 grams, 15.7 troy ounces. Height 8 cms. Top 12 x 9 cms. Base 7 x 6.5 cms. Unmarked silver. Circa 1750.
1777
Fenton‚ Creswick & Co Ltd
8732 Antique George III Silver Salts
Sold

An elegant pair of antique sterling silver salts of oval form with pretty pierced decoration with swags. Blue glass liners. Lovely classical style with bead borders and standing on pierced shaped feet. To the front there is a hand engraved crest within a shield. Owners initials underneath. Weight of silver 105 grams, 3.3 troy ounces. Height 5 cms. Top measures 8.5 x 6.25 cms. Sheffield 1777. Maker Fenton, Creswick & Co.
1780
Thomas Harper
8620 Antique Silver Trencher Salts
Sold

A handsome set of four antique sterling silver trencher salts in the rectangular form popular at the start of the 18th century but actually dating to 1780. Good size. Traces of the original gilt interior. Total weight 220 grams, 7 troy ounces. Base 7.5 x 6 cms. Top 6 x 4.5 cms. London 1780. Maker Thomas Harper. Sterling silver.
1786
Hester Bateman
7246 Pair of George III Salts by Hester Bateman
Sold

An elegant pair of antique sterling silver salts of oval form by this very sought after lady silversmith. Plain classical style with bead borders, bands of bright cut engraving and a pierced scrollwork frieze. There is an engraved crest within an oval cartouche to the front. Original blue glass liners. Weight of silver 109 grams, 3.5 troy ounces. Height 5 cms. Length 8.5 cms. Width 6 cms. London 1786. Maker Hester Bateman.
1789
Robert And David Hennell
8729 Antique George III Silver Salts
Sold

An elegant pair of antique sterling silver salts of oval form with pretty pierced decoration and blue glass liners. Good weight. Lovely classical style with gadroon borders and standing on ball and claw feet. To the front there is a hand engraved crest within an oval cartouche. Weight of silver 205 grams, 6.5 troy ounces. Height 6 cms. Top measures 9 x 6 cms. London 1789. Maker David & Robert Hennell I.
1791
Robert Hennell I
5773 Pair of Antique Silver Salts
Sold

An elegant pair of antique sterling silver salt pots. Classic plain style with reed borders and original gilt interior. Weight 153 grams, 4.9 troy ounces. Diameter 8 cms. Height 5.5 cms. London 1791. Maker Robert Hennell.
1792 - 1798
Naphtali Hart & Duncan Urquhart
10286 Pair of George III Silver Salts
Sold

An elegant pair of silver salt cellars of oval form on simple scroll feet. The panelled sides have pierced decoration and bright cut engraving. Original Bristol blue glass liners with star cut bases. Total weight of silver 110 grams, 3.5 troy ounces. Height 6cm. Top measures 9×5.7cm. London 1792/8. Maker Duncan Urquhart & Napthali Hart. Sterling silver. 18th century.
1793
Edward Lowe
9976 George III Antique Silver Salts
Sold

An elegant set of 4 of antique sterling silver salt cellars of oval form with pretty pierced decoration with swags. Blue glass liners. Lovely classical style with rope borders and standing on pierced shaped feet. Weight of silver 218 grams, 7 troy ounces. Height 5cm. Top measures 8.3 x 6.1cm. London 1793. Maker Edward Lowe.
1805
Paul Storr
9007 George III Salt Cellars by Paul Storr
Sold

A set of 4 superb quality silver salts by the world famous English silversmith Paul Storr. Excellent quality and good gauge silver as you’d expect from this sought after maker. Substantial chunky shape and typical Georgian features with half fluted decoration and borders. Cast pedestal foot and original gilt interiors. To the front of each is a lion crest. Total weight 646 grams, 20.7 troy ounces. Height 5.5 cms. Diameter 8.5 cms. London 1805. Maker Paul Storr.
1805
John Edwards III
8004 Georgian Silver Salts
Sold

An elegant pair of antique sterling silver salt pots of oval form on a pedestal base. Classic plain style with gadroon borders and original gilt interior. Weight 256 grams, 8.2 troy ounces. Top 9.5 x 8 cms. Height 6 cms. London 1805. Maker John Edwards.
1809
Robert Metham
9070 Antique Georgian Silver Salts
Sold

An elegant pair of antique sterling silver salt pots of shaped rectangular form with blue glass liners. Lovely classical style with reed banding and standing on small ball feet. Uninscribed. Weight of silver 125 grams, 4 troy ounces. Height 3.7 cms. Top measures 8 x 5.8 cms. London 1809. Maker Robert Metham.
1810 - 1811
John Mewburn
10258 George III Antique Silver Salts
Sold

A fine pair of antique sterling silver salt dishes formed as scallop shells mounted on naturalistic turtle shell bases. Heavy cast gilt silver. The detailed workmanship on these is quite exceptional. Each is hand engraved to the front with a bird crest. Weight 555 grams, 17.8 troy ounces. Height 8.5/4.7cm. Width 10.5cm. London 1810/11. Maker John Mewburn. Sterling silver. 19^th century.
1830
Paul Storr
10226 Pair of Antique Silver Salts
Sold

A pair of superb quality silver salt cellars by the world famous English silversmith Paul Storr. Excellent quality and good gauge silver as you’d expect from this sought after maker. Each rococo sea shell is supported on three conch shell feet and has the original bright gilt interior. Hand engraved to the front is a crest of a hand clutching a dagger. Total weight 255 grams, 8.1 troy ounces. Height 5cm. Top measures 10x9cm. London 1830. Maker Paul Storr. Sterling silver.
1831
William Ker Reid
10249 George IV Antique Silver Salts
Sold

A beautiful pair of silver salt cellars beautifully modelled in the form of scrolling sea shells, each supported by three conch shell feet. Good weight. Attractive gilt finish. Total weight 347 grams, 11.1 troy ounces. Height 4.7cm. Top measures 9.6×10.1cm. London 1831. Maker William Ker Reid. Sterling silver. 19th century.
1835
Robert Hennell II
9578 William IV Antique Silver Salts
Sold

A fantastic quality set of four antique silver salts each modelled as a large open shell supported on three little shell feet. Light internal gilding. Total weight 1366 grams, 43.9 troy ounces. Height 4.5 cm. Top 12 x 8.5 cm. London 1835. Maker Robert Hennell II
1838 - 1872
Robert Garrard II
9037 Antique Silver Salts – Novelty Mermaid
Sold

A fine quality set of three antique sterling silver salt cellars modelled as a mermaid draped in a fishing net and holding a giant sea shell. Heavy cast silver. Original gilt finish. Hand engraved inside the bowl of the salt is a stylistic monogram below a ducal coronet. Total weight 1039 grams, 33.4 troy ounces. Height 5.5cm. Width 9.5cm. Depth 9cm. One is made by Robert Garrard, London 1838. The other pair, an identical copy, is by Henry William Curry, London 1872.
1846
John Samuel Hunt
8581 Antique Double Table Salt in the form of a Stag
Sold

Antique Double Table Salt in the form of a Stag
A magnificent quality piece of novelty silver. An antique sterling silver table salt in the form of a stag lying on a rocky base and flanked by 2 gilded shells. Heavy cast silver. The modelling is superb. Weight 631 grams, 20.2 troy ounces. Height 10 cms. Width 18 cms. London 1846. Maker John Samuel Hunt, nephew of Paul Storr.
1854
John Figg
9830 Antique Silver Salt and Pepper Set
Sold

A good quality antique silver salt and pepper condiment set in a gilt silver frame with carrying handle. Simple classical form with beaded borders and little shaped feet. The bottles are the original Bristol blue cut glass. The salt cellar has a hinged cover, the pepperette has the standard lift off top. Weight of stand 97 grams (without bottles), 3.1 troy ounces. Height 11cm. Width of stand 10cm. London 1854. Maker John Figg. The accompanying salt spoon is London 1832 by Robert Hennell II. Sterling silver.
1857
George J Richards & Edward C Brown
8963 Antique Silver Owl Salt
Sold

A delightful antique sterling silver novelty salt or small sugar castor in the form of an owl having a detachable head with large glass eyes. Beautifully modelled and engraved, the quality is very realistic. Gilt interior. Weight 101 grams, 3.2 troy ounces. Height 9.2 cms. London 1857. Maker George Richards & Edward Brown.
1858 - 1900
George Unite
9361 Antique Silver Novelty Salts
Sold

A delightful set of three antique silver condiments, each in the form of a knight’s helmet. The visor moves up and down to open and close the salt pot. Gilded interiors. Total silver weight 195 grams, 6.2 troy ounces. One salt London 1858, height 6.4cm, diameter 5.1 cm. Two salts London 1900, height 6.6cm, diameter 5.2cm. All made by George Unite.
Circa 1860
Richard Hodd & William Linley
7060 Pair of Antique Silver Plated Figural Salts in the Cellini Style
Sold

A magnificent pair of antique silver plated salts cast in the form of Neptune and his wife Amphitrite both riding on dolphins. Large size and excellent quality. Each figure is carrying a raised shell which forms the salt container (gilded inside). Heavy weight. The rocky design bases are encrusted with shells and other marine foliage and within the decoration each has a silver plate stamp. Circa 1860. Probably by Richard Hodd & William Linley.
1866
Thomas Smily
8462 Antique Silver Shell Salts
Sold

A fine pair of antique sterling silver salt dishes in the form of shells supported by dolphin feet. Heavy cast silver. The detailed workmanship on these is quite exceptional and they sit very well in the hand. The shells retain the original gilding. Accompanied by a pair of sterling silver salt spoons (same maker) with pretty bright cut dot engraved borders and foliate motif. Total weight 151 grams, 15.7 troy ounces. Height 3 cms. Top 5 x 5 cms. Salts London 1866. Spoons London 1864. All by Thomas Smily.
1866
James Charles Edington
8955 Victorian Novelty Silver Condiment – Sack of Salt
Sold

A fantastic quality antique sterling silver salt pot in the form of a sack. Excellent quality. Good weight 181 grams, 5.8 troy ounces. Height 5.5 cms. Base width 8.5 cms. London 1866. Maker James Charles Edington.
Circa 1880
John Langland
7755 Antique Silver Plated Figural Salts
Sold

A tall pair of antique silver plated salts modelled as a young girl and boy wearing old fashioned clothing. Each is carrying a large straw basket which is gilded inside for the salt. Excellent quality and good heavy weight. Height 15 cms. Width of salt 8 cms. Base diameter 7.5 cms. Circa 1880. Umarked.
1892
Joseph Braham
5685 Pair of Antique Silver Pig Salt and Pepper Pots
Sold

A beautifully modelled pair of antique sterling silver condiments modelled as pigs with curly tails. The pepper pot (female) has a pull off top and the pepper shakes out of the eyes. The salt pot flips open and has a small indentation on the lid to fit a little spoon. Weight 181 grams, 5.8 troy ounces. Height 3.5 cms. Pepper – length 8.5 cms, salt – length 8 cms. London 1892. Maker Joseph Braham.