How were open salts used at the table?

Guests used small spoons or their fingers to pinch salt from the open vessel onto the side of their dinner plates. Because individual salt shakers were not yet standard, these open cellars sat at intervals along the dining table. Hosts often provided a matched set so that multiple diners could share access to the seasoning without passing heavy containers across the board.

Why do some silver salts have blue glass liners?

Saline moisture corrodes silver over time, leaving pitting and dark stains on the interior metal surfaces. Inserting a fitted cobalt or blue glass liner protected the precious metal while adding a striking splash of colour. These liners lift out easily for washing, which kept the table setting hygienic during repeated use at formal meals.

What is a trencher salt?

A trencher salt is a sturdy, low-profile salt cellar that sits flat on the table without feet. They date predominantly to the eighteenth century and take circular, square, or octagonal forms. Their heavy construction prevented them from tipping over easily during busy meals before lighter tableware became fashionable.

How do you tell Georgian glass salts from later copies?

Period glass exhibits characteristic weight, hand-cut facets with slight irregularities, and rich tonal qualities in materials like lead crystal or cobalt glass. Eighteenth and early nineteenth-century pieces show tool marks and pontil scars on the base where the glassblower's iron was snapped off. Later reproductions often feel lighter, display uniform machine-moulded edges, and lack the soft wear patterns expected from long-term domestic use.

Can I still use antique salt cellars for dining?

You can use these pieces for dining provided you handle them with care and clean them immediately after use. Silver and plated metals should be washed by hand to preserve gilt interiors and delicate wirework. Glass and ceramic cellars benefit from gentle warm water washing, avoiding abrasive scrubbers that might scratch aged surfaces or antique glazes.

Search 0

19,593 PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 47 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS

Sorted by

Per page

VISITOR LOGIN JOIN AS A SELLER DEALER LOGIN

Saved

GIFTS

Georgian Open Salt

47 ITEMS ADDED TODAY

Visitor Login (saved items)

Sort Order

Items Per Page

Georgian Open Salt

23 items · page 2 of 2

← Page 2 of 2 →

When you handle a georgian open salt, you hold a miniature vessel designed to sit on the dining table and hold loose salt before individual shakers took over.