What is an antique open salt cellar?

An open salt cellar is a small container used on dining tables prior to the widespread popularity of free-flowing salt shakers. During the Victorian era, silversmiths frequently crafted novelty open salts in forms such as pails, tubs, or baskets to add visual variety to formal dining services.

What materials were traditionally used to make Victorian salt cellars?

Victorian salt cellars were commonly crafted from sterling silver, solid silver, or silver plate, often featuring engraved details or gilded interiors to protect against salt corrosion. Matching miniature spoons were typically included to allow guests to serve salt cleanly.

How do you identify authentic Victorian solid silver salt cellars?

Authentic Victorian silver tableware features official British hallmarks stamped into the metal, including a makers mark, town mark, lion passant indicating sterling purity, and a date letter. Inspecting these hallmarks with a loupe confirms the origin, silversmith, and exact year of manufacture.

How can antique silver salt cellars be styled in a modern interior?

In modern homes, silver open salts can be arranged along a dining table or sideboard as refined decorative accents, repurposing them on a dressing table to store small rings or displayed on a bar cart to hold cocktail garnishes.

How should antique solid silver salt cellars be cleaned and maintained?

Silver salt cellars should be rinsed shortly after use to prevent salt pitting, then washed in warm water with gentle soap and dried thoroughly with a soft cloth. Periodic polishing with a specialized silver cloth removes tarnish without wearing down fine engraved details.

for sale €404 $438

£345

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Antique Victorian Solid Silver Salt Cellar Novelty Pail/basket Design - Wilson & Davis 1870

Name: Antique Victorian Solid Silver Salt Cellar Novelty Pail/basket Design - Wilson & Davis 1870
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1077964
Price: 345 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Artisan Antiques

Description

We are delighted to offer this charming and novel Victorian pair of solid silver salt cellars made in London in 1870 with the marks of Wilson & Davis. (The pair of solid silver salt spoons are also included in this set and are of a different maker and a later date).

The pair is crafted in the form of a pail or basket with two handles on either side a flared top and reeded bands running across.

The manner in which the proportion and detail have been formed very accurately as if it is just a scaled-down version of a lifesize pail makes it an immediately eye-catching piece of curiosity whether as part of a collection or sitting on a dining table.

Paired with some small salt spoons and owing to its open design, these salts present a versatile and practical design which could be used for other condiments such as spices, mustard etc.

The pair is also hand-engraved with a pair of beautiful period crests.

Overall, a fine example of Victorian novelty silverware made with impressive attention to detail, perfect for a collection display or practical usage on a dining table. Furthermore, it may serve as the perfect unique gift, rich with history and uniqueness.

It is hallmarked with English marks on the side with matching marks (spoons are later and of a different makers).

*All images with other items are for display purposes, this listing is for the title item only.

SIZE

Size (cm) W:5.5cm H:6.5cm

Size (inches) H:2.16 H:2.55

Weight: 63.9 grams (2.05 Troy oz)

CONDITION

Great Condition - The pair is in overall great antique condition, with no damage or issues. Only very slight surface scratches as expected and a slightly darkened ring on the interior where the wall meets the base but no structural issues.

We aim to overemphasize and state these issues (if any) to avoid disappointment and thus please rest assured they are not significant nor affect the usage of the items.

Please refer to the photographs to examine the condition in further detail.

FREE SHIPPING

Artisan Antiques offers free global shipping with professional, secure and discreet packaging.

We will always ensure your items are packaged with the utmost care and see the delivery through to the end. In the very rare and unfortunate case of non-delivery/courier loss, you are fully covered with us and we will fully refund you.

*All parcels are insured - please rest assured all shipping liabilities other than import/customs duty are covered by Artisan Antiques.

*Colours of the product may slightly differ from the photos due to different computer screens & lighting conditions*

- Price negotiations may be possible under certain criteria, please contact us via telephone (07578761640) or email (info@artisanantiques.net) -

Declaration

Artisan Antiques has dated this Victorian Silver Salt Cellar to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1077964

Dealers Notes

We strive to provide inimitable first-class service with your needs and satisfaction as our number one priority.

Description

We are delighted to offer this charming and novel Victorian pair of solid silver salt cellars made in London in 1870 with the marks of Wilson & Davis.

“

(The pair of solid silver salt spoons are also included in this set and are of a different maker and a later date).

Artisan Antiques

fig 1. A pair of Victorian solid silver salt cellars crafted in the form of small pails with handles and engraved bird motifs, shown alongside two matching silver spoons. — fig 1. Antique Victorian Solid Silver Salt Cellar Novelty Pail/basket Design - Wilson & Davis 1870

The pair is crafted in the form of a pail or basket with two handles on either side a flared top and reeded bands running across.

The manner in which the proportion and detail have been formed very accurately as if it is just a scaled-down version of a lifesize pail makes it an immediately eye-catching piece of curiosity whether as part of a collection or sitting on a dining table.

fig 2. A pair of Victorian solid silver salt cellars crafted in the form of small pails with handles and engraved bird motifs, shown alongside two matching silver spoons. — fig 2. Antique Victorian Solid Silver Salt Cellar Novelty Pail/basket Design - Wilson & Davis 1870

Paired with some small salt spoons and owing to its open design, these salts present a versatile and practical design which could be used for other condiments such as spices, mustard etc.

The pair is also hand-engraved with a pair of beautiful period crests.

fig 3. A pair of Victorian solid silver salt cellars crafted in the form of small pails with handles and engraved bird motifs, shown alongside two matching silver spoons. — fig 3. Antique Victorian Solid Silver Salt Cellar Novelty Pail/basket Design - Wilson & Davis 1870

Overall, a fine example of Victorian novelty silverware made with impressive attention to detail, perfect for a collection display or practical usage on a dining table. Furthermore, it may serve as the perfect unique gift, rich with history and uniqueness.

fig 4. A pair of Victorian solid silver salt cellars crafted in the form of small pails with handles and engraved bird motifs, shown alongside two matching silver spoons. — fig 4. Antique Victorian Solid Silver Salt Cellar Novelty Pail/basket Design - Wilson & Davis 1870

It is hallmarked with English marks on the side with matching marks (spoons are later and of a different makers).

All images with other items are for display purposes, this listing is for the title item only.

fig 5. A pair of Victorian solid silver salt cellars crafted in the form of small pails with handles and engraved bird motifs, shown alongside two matching silver spoons. — fig 5. Antique Victorian Solid Silver Salt Cellar Novelty Pail/basket Design - Wilson & Davis 1870

SIZE

Size (cm) W:5.5cm H:6.5cm

Size (inches) H:2.16 H:2.55

Weight: 63.9 grams (2.05 Troy oz)

CONDITION

Great Condition - The pair is in overall great antique condition, with no damage or issues. Only very slight surface scratches as expected and a slightly darkened ring on the interior where the wall meets the base but no structural issues.

fig 6. A pair of Victorian solid silver salt cellars crafted in the form of small pails with handles and engraved bird motifs, shown alongside two matching silver spoons. — fig 6. Antique Victorian Solid Silver Salt Cellar Novelty Pail/basket Design - Wilson & Davis 1870

We aim to overemphasize and state these issues (if any) to avoid disappointment and thus please rest assured they are not significant nor affect the usage of the items.

Please refer to the photographs to examine the condition in further detail.

fig 7. A pair of Victorian solid silver salt cellars crafted in the form of small pails with handles and engraved bird motifs, shown alongside two matching silver spoons. — fig 7. Antique Victorian Solid Silver Salt Cellar Novelty Pail/basket Design - Wilson & Davis 1870

FREE SHIPPING

Artisan Antiques offers free global shipping with professional, secure and discreet packaging.

We will always ensure your items are packaged with the utmost care and see the delivery through to the end. In the very rare and unfortunate case of non-delivery/courier loss, you are fully covered with us and we will fully refund you.