Salt Cellar

Date1686-1687

MediumSilver

DimensionsH: 5 5/16", W(BASE): 5 1/2", Weight: 13 oz. 17 dwt.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1965-132

DescriptionSalt Cellar: Top octagonal in plan with depressed hemispherical receptacle with molded edge in center with inclined encircling flange; four cast scroll-shaped voluted brackets evenly placed near edge of flange; spool-shaped body molded under rim and with molded mid-band; stepped base of octagonal plan with molded edge. "I*M" prick-engraved in block letters on face of flange encircling receptacle. "Breadalbane" (modern) engraved in script on underside of base to denote name of previous owner-collector.
Label TextMost standing salts of the reign of Charles II are of this tall spool form with four scrolls at their rims and their rims and bases of polygonal plan. The form recalls the elaborate covered Gothic salts of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. This late example, dating from the reign of James II, is one of the last English standing salts. It is incompletely marked, lacking both the maker's mark and the lion passant mark. The date letter is repeated on the underside of the base in apparent error for the usual lion passant mark. The" 1 Table Salt" listed in the 1703 inventory of the estate of William Fitzhugh of Stafford County, Virginia, may very well have been of this form. The three surviving American standing salts, all of Boston origin, are of related design.
InscribedOwner's initials( H M pounced on face of rim; collector's name (Breadalbane) engraved on underside of base.
MarkingsLeopard's head crowned and date letter for 1686-87 within receptacle for salt; date letter struck on underside of base perhaps in error for the usual lion passant mark; maker's mark and lion passant mark absent.
ProvenanceGavin Campbell (1851-1922), 1st marquess and 7th earl of Breadalbane Christie, Manson &Woods, London (1961)
Vendor: How (of Edinburgh), London
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