The Moody Salt
Standing Salt
1664-1665 (hallmarked)
1664-1665 (hallmarked)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Salts were among the most important pieces of metalwork in a Tudor or Stuart household. They were used to show wealth and status and could be made in a variety of styles, sizes and materials, including gems, pearls, enamels and crystal. This form of salt without a cover but with scrolled branches was popular from about 1660. It was the last common form of ceremonial salt made before the salt evolved into a centrepiece around 1700. The scroll arms are designed either to hold an embroidered cloth cover or napkin or to bear a dessert dish. They show the transition from salt to centrepiece that took place in the 17th century and the related new emphasis on the dessert course.
Ownership & Use
Almost all babies in 17th-century England were baptised within a few days of their birth. Baptisms in higher status families might be delayed in order to make social arrangements. Gifts given at baptisms often included table salts or cups, silver spoons and other precious metal objects. Salts were particularly popular due to the role that salt had played in christenings before the Reformation. Pre-Reformation baptisms often included the use of various substances such as spittle, salt and holy oils. The priest would put hallowed salt into the mouth of the infant at baptism to 'signify the spiritual salt, which is the word of God, wherewith he should be seasoned and powdered that thereby the filthy savour of stinking sin should be taken away'.
People
This salt is thought to be the work of a Swiss goldsmith and chaser, Wolfgang Howzer, who was born in Zurich and later worked in London. He is recorded in London between 1657 and 1688. Howzer was one of the foreign or 'alien' goldsmiths working in London whose superior technical skills and designs attracted the resentment of English goldsmiths. He obtained a licence from Charles II (ruled 1660-1685) that allowed him to work outside the supervision of the Goldsmiths' Company and to sell directly to customers. He worked for the King's Jewel House, which administered the royal collection, as well as for other wealthy clients.
Salts were among the most important pieces of metalwork in a Tudor or Stuart household. They were used to show wealth and status and could be made in a variety of styles, sizes and materials, including gems, pearls, enamels and crystal. This form of salt without a cover but with scrolled branches was popular from about 1660. It was the last common form of ceremonial salt made before the salt evolved into a centrepiece around 1700. The scroll arms are designed either to hold an embroidered cloth cover or napkin or to bear a dessert dish. They show the transition from salt to centrepiece that took place in the 17th century and the related new emphasis on the dessert course.
Ownership & Use
Almost all babies in 17th-century England were baptised within a few days of their birth. Baptisms in higher status families might be delayed in order to make social arrangements. Gifts given at baptisms often included table salts or cups, silver spoons and other precious metal objects. Salts were particularly popular due to the role that salt had played in christenings before the Reformation. Pre-Reformation baptisms often included the use of various substances such as spittle, salt and holy oils. The priest would put hallowed salt into the mouth of the infant at baptism to 'signify the spiritual salt, which is the word of God, wherewith he should be seasoned and powdered that thereby the filthy savour of stinking sin should be taken away'.
People
This salt is thought to be the work of a Swiss goldsmith and chaser, Wolfgang Howzer, who was born in Zurich and later worked in London. He is recorded in London between 1657 and 1688. Howzer was one of the foreign or 'alien' goldsmiths working in London whose superior technical skills and designs attracted the resentment of English goldsmiths. He obtained a licence from Charles II (ruled 1660-1685) that allowed him to work outside the supervision of the Goldsmiths' Company and to sell directly to customers. He worked for the King's Jewel House, which administered the royal collection, as well as for other wealthy clients.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Moody Salt (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, with repoussé work and chasing |
| Brief description | Standing salt or ceremonial salt cellar |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Decorative holders for salt were popular as gifts at marriages and christenings for either the couple or the child. This shape of salt was popular after 1660. The scroll arms were designed to hold an embroidered cloth cover or a dish, possibly for the dessert.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Acquired with funds from the Bryan Bequest |
| Object history | Made for a member of the Moody family, whose initials are pricked on the salt Probably made in London by Wolfgang Howzer (born in Zurich, Switzerland, active in England from about 1657-1688) |
| Summary | Object Type Salts were among the most important pieces of metalwork in a Tudor or Stuart household. They were used to show wealth and status and could be made in a variety of styles, sizes and materials, including gems, pearls, enamels and crystal. This form of salt without a cover but with scrolled branches was popular from about 1660. It was the last common form of ceremonial salt made before the salt evolved into a centrepiece around 1700. The scroll arms are designed either to hold an embroidered cloth cover or napkin or to bear a dessert dish. They show the transition from salt to centrepiece that took place in the 17th century and the related new emphasis on the dessert course. Ownership & Use Almost all babies in 17th-century England were baptised within a few days of their birth. Baptisms in higher status families might be delayed in order to make social arrangements. Gifts given at baptisms often included table salts or cups, silver spoons and other precious metal objects. Salts were particularly popular due to the role that salt had played in christenings before the Reformation. Pre-Reformation baptisms often included the use of various substances such as spittle, salt and holy oils. The priest would put hallowed salt into the mouth of the infant at baptism to 'signify the spiritual salt, which is the word of God, wherewith he should be seasoned and powdered that thereby the filthy savour of stinking sin should be taken away'. People This salt is thought to be the work of a Swiss goldsmith and chaser, Wolfgang Howzer, who was born in Zurich and later worked in London. He is recorded in London between 1657 and 1688. Howzer was one of the foreign or 'alien' goldsmiths working in London whose superior technical skills and designs attracted the resentment of English goldsmiths. He obtained a licence from Charles II (ruled 1660-1685) that allowed him to work outside the supervision of the Goldsmiths' Company and to sell directly to customers. He worked for the King's Jewel House, which administered the royal collection, as well as for other wealthy clients. |
| Bibliographic reference | Mitchell, David. 'To Alderman Backwells for the candlsticks for Mr Coventry': The manufacture and sale of plate at The Unicorn, Lombard Street, 1663-72. The Silver Society Journal, vol. 12, Autumn 2000. pp. 111-124. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.347-1912 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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