Edwardian Silver Table Salts
Edwardian silver table salts are small open vessels and condiment containers that bring refined craftsmanship to the dining table.
Edwardian Silver Table Salts
Edwardian silver table salts encompass open salt cellars, cruet sets, and novelty figural pieces designed for formal dining tables. These items emerge frequently in silver plate and sterling silver, often paired with cut glass containers.
The selections span pairs of open salts alongside larger cruet sets and individual condiment pieces. Buyers encounter both sterling silver examples bearing hallmarks and silver plated versions from the same era.
How they were made
Silversmiths utilised solid sterling silver and silver plate, forming vessels through casting, stamping, and hand-finishing techniques. Cut glass bowls and bottle inserts provide contrasting texture and weight to the metal framework.
Internal linings of velvet and satin appear in fitted presentation cases for pairs of dishes. Hallmarking stamps applied to sterling components confirm assay office origins and metal purity.
Silversmiths turned salt cellars and pepper pots into whimsical animals, shaping silver into owls, chicks, cats, dogs, and Mr Punch's dog Toby.
What varies in quality
The distinction between tiers rests upon the weight of the metal and the crispness of chased or cast details. Finer items exhibit precise figural modelling in novelty pieces and thick, clear cut glass without surface wear.
Original fitted presentation cases and complete matching cruet bottles elevate the standing of a set. Maker marks from established silversmiths also separate standard production items from superior workshop output.
Goldsmith & Silversmith's·Bricks & Sons·Sampson Mordan
The Edwardian Silver Table Salts Glossary
- Cruet set
- A matched collection of bottles, jars, or open vessels for holding condiments, typically fitted into a metal frame with a central handle.
- Open salt
- A small open vessel designed to hold table salt, into which diners dipped a small spoon rather than shaking it from a shaker.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy comprising ninety-two point five percent silver and seven point five percent other metals, traditionally copper.
- Silver plate
- A base metal object coated with a thin layer of pure silver through electroplating or older fusion methods.
- Hallmark
- A series of official marks stamped on precious metal items in the United Kingdom to certify standard of purity.
Edwardian Silver Table Salts: Frequently Asked Questions
How were table salts used?
Diners used open table salts to hold individual portions of salt at the table, taking a pinch with a small salt spoon or fingers.
They sat beside each place setting or were shared between guests as part of a larger condiment arrangement.
Are these pieces made of solid silver?
The listings include both solid sterling silver and silver plated items depending on the specific manufacture.
Hallmarks stamped directly onto the metal help identify solid silver pieces from plated alternatives.
What comes in a cruet set?
A cruet set contains multiple glass bottles and metal containers for holding condiments like vinegar, oil, mustard, and salt.
These components fit securely into a metal stand for serving at the dining table.
How do I clean silver salts?
Maintenance involves gentle cleaning with a specialist silver cloth to remove tarnish without damaging engraved details or glass inserts.
Harsh abrasive dips should be avoided, particularly on plated items or pieces with delicate cut glass.