The Stoke Prior Double Salt
Salt
1594-1595 (hallmarked)
1594-1595 (hallmarked)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Salt was a precious commodity in 16th century-England, valued both as a preservative and a flavouring. 'Salts' were therefore the most common items of silver (after spoons) to be found in lists of household possessions. They often became heirlooms. The most elaborate salt was placed before the head of the household or the guest of honour. Smaller plain salts were provided for the other diners.
Design
This is known as a bell salt because of its shape. Bell salts form the largest surviving category of Elizabethan or Jacobean salts. By 1607, they were mocked as simple objects which even an unskilled journeyman could make.
It is made up of three sections with a pierced cap which acts as a pepper or spice caster. The upper section can be removed, making it into two separate salt containers. One would be kept by the guest of honour and the smaller one placed at the other end of the table.
Place
This salt and several other pieces of domestic silver were found in 1891 by a boy chasing rabbits at Stoke Prior, near Leominster, Herefordshire. It is a particularly interesting group as this sort of relatively simple household silver rarely survives.
Salt was a precious commodity in 16th century-England, valued both as a preservative and a flavouring. 'Salts' were therefore the most common items of silver (after spoons) to be found in lists of household possessions. They often became heirlooms. The most elaborate salt was placed before the head of the household or the guest of honour. Smaller plain salts were provided for the other diners.
Design
This is known as a bell salt because of its shape. Bell salts form the largest surviving category of Elizabethan or Jacobean salts. By 1607, they were mocked as simple objects which even an unskilled journeyman could make.
It is made up of three sections with a pierced cap which acts as a pepper or spice caster. The upper section can be removed, making it into two separate salt containers. One would be kept by the guest of honour and the smaller one placed at the other end of the table.
Place
This salt and several other pieces of domestic silver were found in 1891 by a boy chasing rabbits at Stoke Prior, near Leominster, Herefordshire. It is a particularly interesting group as this sort of relatively simple household silver rarely survives.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Title | The Stoke Prior Double Salt (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Silver gilt, chased and engraved |
| Brief description | [*] The Stoke Prior Double Salt |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
SILVER FOR DISPLAY Precious metal vessels decorated in the Renaissance style were used in both domestic and church settings. At this period presents were given at New Year, rather than Christmas. Drinking cups, intended for display on a magnificent buffet of tiered shelves, were a popular gift. The inclusion of the owner's initials or coat of arms indicated his high social standing. An elaborate salt cellar marked the position of the most important person at the dining table.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Made in London by an unidentified maker with the mark 'NR' |
| Summary | Object Type Salt was a precious commodity in 16th century-England, valued both as a preservative and a flavouring. 'Salts' were therefore the most common items of silver (after spoons) to be found in lists of household possessions. They often became heirlooms. The most elaborate salt was placed before the head of the household or the guest of honour. Smaller plain salts were provided for the other diners. Design This is known as a bell salt because of its shape. Bell salts form the largest surviving category of Elizabethan or Jacobean salts. By 1607, they were mocked as simple objects which even an unskilled journeyman could make. It is made up of three sections with a pierced cap which acts as a pepper or spice caster. The upper section can be removed, making it into two separate salt containers. One would be kept by the guest of honour and the smaller one placed at the other end of the table. Place This salt and several other pieces of domestic silver were found in 1891 by a boy chasing rabbits at Stoke Prior, near Leominster, Herefordshire. It is a particularly interesting group as this sort of relatively simple household silver rarely survives. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 283:1 to 3-1893 |
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 | April 30, 1999 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
