How were salt cellars used on historic tables?

Dinners utilised open salt cellars placed beside each place setting or shared between guests to dispense loose salt onto the edge of a plate using small condiment spoons or fingers. Servants filled these vessels before meals, and the inclusion of glass liners protected the silver from chemical erosion caused by the contents.

Why do some salts have blue glass liners?

Silver reacts chemically with salt over extended periods, leading to tarnishing and corrosion of the metal vessel if contents sit directly against it. Cobalt glass liners provided a removable, inert barrier that kept the salt contained safely while adding a striking splash of colour visible through pierced silverwork.

How can I date an antique silver salt pair?

Makers stamped official hallmarks onto the sterling silver surface, recording specific assay office symbols, date letters, and purity marks that identify the exact year of manufacture. Stylistic shifts, such as heavy Georgian pedestals versus ornate Victorian novelty shapes or lighter Edwardian wirework, also offer immediate visual clues to the period.

What is the difference between a salt cellar and a shaker?

Salt cellars are open vessels designed to hold loose crystal salt accessed with a tiny spoon or pinched by hand, common in eighteenth and nineteenth-century dining. Shakers or pepperettes feature perforated tops intended for sprinkling, which became more widespread towards the late Victorian and Edwardian periods.