Salt Cellar
1575-1580 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Salt was a precious commodity in the 16th century and salts cellars for use at the table were often elaborately decorated. As salt was derived from the sea, sea-gods were thought to be appropriate decorative elements.
Materials & Making
Tin-glazed earthenware, which could be painted in many different bright colours, was known in Italy as 'maiolica'. Urbino was a famous centre for the manufacture of maiolica. This salt cellar was made with the aid of moulds, which made it possible to shape series of objects relatively cheaply.
Salt was a precious commodity in the 16th century and salts cellars for use at the table were often elaborately decorated. As salt was derived from the sea, sea-gods were thought to be appropriate decorative elements.
Materials & Making
Tin-glazed earthenware, which could be painted in many different bright colours, was known in Italy as 'maiolica'. Urbino was a famous centre for the manufacture of maiolica. This salt cellar was made with the aid of moulds, which made it possible to shape series of objects relatively cheaply.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Moulded, tin-glazed earthenware, painted in colours |
| Brief description | Salt-cellar, boat-shaped and moulded in relief, painted in colours with reclining figures sea-gods. In the well, initials AZ and a coat of arms. |
| Physical description | Salt-cellar, boat-shaped and moulded in relief, with a goat's head above a lion's mask at either end. Tin-glazed earthenware, painted in colours with reclining figures of Neptune and Amphitrite, a Triton and a Nereid. In the well, above the initials AZ, a shield with cut scroll-work border, ensigned with a helmet and mantling, charged: Gules, three roses 2 and 1 argent on a chief or a crow sable. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | AZ (Painted, in the well. These are probably the initials of the original owner) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by George Salting, Esq. |
| Object history | Formerly in the Spitzer Collection, sold in 1893, and then in the Salting Collection |
| Historical context | Salt was a precious commodity in the 16th century and salts cellars for use at the table were often elaborately decorated. As salt was derived from the sea, sea-gods were thought to be appropriate decorative elements. During this time, the potters of Urbino made extensive sets of matching table-wares for wealthy patrons, and it is likely that this salt was part of such an ensemble. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type Salt was a precious commodity in the 16th century and salts cellars for use at the table were often elaborately decorated. As salt was derived from the sea, sea-gods were thought to be appropriate decorative elements. Materials & Making Tin-glazed earthenware, which could be painted in many different bright colours, was known in Italy as 'maiolica'. Urbino was a famous centre for the manufacture of maiolica. This salt cellar was made with the aid of moulds, which made it possible to shape series of objects relatively cheaply. |
| Other number | 889 - Rackham (1977) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.2267-1910 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 21, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
