Salt Cellar

Date1745-1749

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

MediumPorcelain, Soft-paste

DimensionsOH: 3"; OW: 4 3/8"; L: 4 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1962-95

DescriptionSalt Cellar: Molded, soft-paste porcelain salt. There is a molded form of a crayfish and a scallop shell. These have been attached to a base that resembles the ocean floor. It is rocky and attached are small shells and pieces of seaweed. No color has been applied.

Label TextThis typically marked salt forms a pair with the blue-triangle-marked example in the CWF collection (accession 1964-419). Crayfish salts appear to have been used in pairs in the eighteenth century; Horace Walpole had a pair at his Strawberry Hill estate, and the 1756 Chelsea sale catalogue included several lots, each containing "Two craw fish salts." The appearance of these triangle-period pieces in a catalogue of the red anchor period is most unusual. Possibly the shape was reintroduced or continued to be produced, or old stock may have been put up for sale.

Examples that survive, either partially or entirely painted with enamel colors, may be the ones sold during the later period. Enameled wares are much more characteristic of the red anchor period, while the triangle-period wares were more frequently left white. Several fully enameled pieces painted with red anchor marks survive.
InscribedNone
MarkingsIncised triangle under glaze on bottom of shell.
ProvenanceEx coll: Mr. Duckwall (Indianapolas); M.G. Kaufman (K31)

Exhibition(s)