Silver Open Salt Dish
A silver open salt dish brings miniature sculpture to the dining table, holding condiments in precious metal and glass.
Silver Open Salt Dish
A silver open salt dish sits upon the dining table to hold loose salt before individual shakers became common practice. The pieces gathered here range from Georgian and Victorian creations to Edwardian and mid-century designs.
Buyers will encounter pairs and sets alongside single vessels, often taking the form of traditional circular bowls, boat shapes, and naturalistic shell or flower motifs.
Many examples arrive complete with their original coloured glass liners in cobalt blue or cranberry hues, while others rely entirely on solid silver or silver plate.
Materials and construction methods
Silversmiths utilised sterling silver and silver plate to shape the bodies of these vessels, employing techniques such as casting, chasing, and piercing.
Internal liners of cobalt glass, cranberry glass, and clear crystal were blown or moulded to fit snugly within the metal frameworks, protecting the silver from corrosive salt.
Details like dolphin feet, movable wings, and foliate chasing demonstrate the skilled handwork applied across different periods.
Distinguishing quality in salt cellars
The distinction between ordinary and exceptional pieces lies in the crispness of the chasing, the weight of the metal, and the originality of any glass liner.
Master silversmiths and established workshops produced pieces with precise proportions and balanced decorative schemes, whereas simpler items display standard commercial manufacturing.
Georg Jensen·Barnards·William Bateman·Paul Storr·Thomas Smily·Vale Brothers and Sermon
The Silver Open Salt Dish Glossary
- Open salt
- A small vessel designed to hold loose salt on the dining table rather than dispensing it through shakers. These require a miniature spoon or a pinch of the fingers.
- Glass liner
- A removable insert made of cobalt, cranberry, or clear glass that sits inside the silver frame. This protects the precious metal from the corrosive nature of salt.
- Chasing
- A metalworking technique where the smith pushes the surface of the silver from the outside to create raised decorative patterns and textures.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy consisting of silver and other metals, usually copper, standardised for strength and purity in silverware production.
Silver Open Salt Dish: Frequently Asked Questions
How were open salts used at the table?
Diners used these small vessels to hold individual portions of salt during formal meals. A matching miniature spoon often accompanied the dish, or guests used the tip of a clean knife.
As shaker bottles gained popularity in the twentieth century, open salt dishes shifted from everyday dining to decorative tableware and collector cabinets.
Do these pieces usually include glass liners?
Many surviving examples retain their original blown or moulded glass inserts, particularly those in cobalt blue or cranberry glass. Liners protected the silver from chemical reactions caused by damp salt.
Listings specify whether a glass insert is present and original to the piece, which affects the overall completeness of the item.
How do I identify a Victorian salt cellar?
Victorian pieces frequently display heavier ornamentation such as foliate chasing, naturalistic flower designs, or animal forms like shells, dolphins, and eagles. Hallmarks stamped into the silver help confirm the exact decade of manufacture.
Stylistic shifts across the nineteenth century moved from classical revival themes toward more exuberant Rococo influences and botanical motifs.
Can I use antique salt cellars for dining?
These vessels remain entirely functional for modern dining when fitted with appropriate glass liners. Care must be taken to empty and clean the silver promptly after use to prevent tarnishing.
Many collectors prefer to display them as decorative objects, admiring the craftsmanship of earlier silversmiths on sideboard trays.