What are silver open salts?

Silver open salts are small decorative dishes placed on dining tables to hold loose salt before modern shakers existed. Guests used tiny spoons to take a pinch of salt for their food. These pieces reflect the shifting styles of British silversmithing across the Georgian and Victorian eras, ranging from plain round bowls to ornate pedestal designs.

How do I use them today?

You can use silver open salts on your dining table for serving sea salt flakes or coarse salt during dinner parties. They also make charming small containers for holding rings or trinkets on a dressing table. When using them with salt, ensure the glass liner is intact to protect the silver metal from direct corrosion.

How do I date a silver salt?

Dating a silver salt relies on reading the assay office hallmarks stamped into the metal, which indicate the exact city and year of creation. Stylistic clues such as piercing, pedestal bases, or cauldron shapes also point toward specific periods like the 18th Century or Victorian era. Maker marks further narrow down the production window to the working dates of the silversmith.

Why do some salts have blue glass?

Silver reacts chemically and corrodes when left in direct contact with salt over long periods. Cobalt glass liners were fitted inside the open salts to act as a protective barrier while adding a striking splash of blue colour. These glass inserts lift out of the silver frame for easy cleaning after meals.