This is a pretty pair of good-size, mid-Victorian silver salts or caviars, made by Henry Hyde Aston, Birmingham, in 1864. Scallop-shell shaped, and retaining their original spoons, the ribs have fine repousse decoration. The bowls are supported on three stylised, sea-creature feet, maybe suggesting sturgeons or dolphins, and typical of the period. The spoons have barley-twist stems and scroll ends. These salts are in excellent antique condition, with no damage and no repairs. The hallmarks are very clear and show the same maker's marks on all four pieces. The salts were assayed in 1863; the spoons in 1864, as is often the case with sets. [Please note that there are some shadows, not tarnish, in the photographs.]

Length of spoons: 7cm (2.75 inches)

Dimensions of salts: 6cm x 6cm (2.25 inches)

Declaration

Lantern Antiques has dated these Victorian Silver Salt Cellars to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1049084

Dealers Internal Reference

A03540

Dealers Notes

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Description

“

The bowls are supported on three stylised, sea-creature feet, maybe suggesting sturgeons or dolphins, and typical of the period.

Lantern Antiques

The spoons have barley-twist stems and scroll ends. These salts are in excellent antique condition, with no damage and no repairs. The hallmarks are very clear and show the same maker's marks on all four pieces. The salts were assayed in 1863; the spoons in 1864, as is often the case with sets. [Please note that there are some shadows, not tarnish, in the photographs.]

Length of spoons: 7cm (2.75 inches)

Dimensions of salts: 6cm x 6cm (2.25 inches)

Date of Manufacture

Lantern Antiques has dated these Victorian Silver Salt Cellars to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1049084

Dealers Internal Ref

A03540

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Lantern Antiques

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A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons.

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Archive I

A Fine Pair of Mid-Victorian Silver Salts or Caviars

Archive II

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View II

Archive III

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View III

Archive IV

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View IV

Archive V

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View V

Archive VI

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View VI

Archive VII

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View VII

Archive VIII

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View VIII

Archive IX

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View IX

Archive X

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View X

Archive XI

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View XI

Archive XII

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View XII

Archive XIII

A pair of Victorian sterling silver shell-shaped salt cellars resting on cast feet alongside two matching silver spoons. View XIII

During the Victorian era, silver salt cellars were standard tableware items designed to hold coarse salt at formal meals before anti-caking additives enabled salt shakers. Scallop shell motifs became popular during this period, influenced by revived eighteenth-century Rococo metalwork designs.

Victorian salt cellars were crafted primarily from sterling silver, electroplated silver, or cut glass mounted with silver rims. Higher-tier examples featured cast and chased sterling silver bodies, often paired with silver-gilt interiors or matching silver spoons.

Authentic Victorian silver pieces carry official British hallmark stamps, including the lion passant mark for sterling silver, a town mark, a monarch head or date letter, and a maker mark. Examining these struck hallmarks confirms metal purity and verifies the mid-to-late nineteenth-century period.

These metallic tableware items can be arranged on a dining table, placed inside a glass display cabinet, or repurposed on a sideboard top as small catchall dishes for jewellery. Their classic profile complements modern table linens, glassware, and contemporary dining accessories.

Salt promotes rapid metal oxidisation, so salt cellars must be emptied and wiped clean with warm water after use. Regular polishing with a specialized silver cloth removes surface tarnish without abrading high-relief cast details.

Lantern Antiques

A Fine Pair of Mid-victorian Silver Salts or Caviars

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Lantern Antiques

A Fine Pair of Mid-victorian Silver Salts or Caviars

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

Birmingham 1885 Victorian Solid Silver Pair of Six Lobed Salt Cellars with the Original Matching Spoons by Vale Brothers and Sermon.

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Lantern Antiques

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The Sustainable Choice

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