Salt Cellar

Date1745-1749

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

MediumSoft-paste porcelain

DimensionsH: 2 1/2"; D: 5 3/8"; W: 4 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1964-419

DescriptionSalt Cellar: White salt in form of a scallop shell behind a realistic crayfish supported on a rocky base that is applied with small shells and seaweed.
Label TextIn the shape of a seashell with a crawfish crawling beside in on a rocky mound, this salt illustrates in porcelain the work of Nicholas Sprimont, the manager of the Chelsea factory. The prototype was a London silver salt of the same form bearing the date letter 1742-1743. The underglaze blue triangle on the Chelsea piece is extremely rare, but related to the other two marks of the period--in shape to the incised triangle, in color to the brilliant underglaze blue of the crown-and-trident mark. Although only two other authentic blue triangle marks appear on recorded pieces of Chelsea, several examples are found with the blue triangle added later.
MarkingsTriangle in underglaze blue on exterior base. (Godden #684).
ProvenanceEx coll: F.Severne Mackenna 1948 (see Mackenna, CHELSEA PORCELAIN); Tilley & Co. 1958 (See CONNOISSEUE, March 1958, p. xxi.); Sir John & Lady Corah (Purchaese from Tilley ca. 1958).