Salt Cellars
Maker
Meriden Britannia Company
(American, active Meriden, Connecticut, 1852 - 1898)
Datec. 1885
MediumSilver plate, gilt, and wood
DimensionsBox Overall: 2 x 5 1/4 x 7 1/2in. (5.1 x 13.3 x 19.1cm)
Each: 1 1/4 x 1 13/16 x 1 1/8 in.
Each: 1 1/4 x 1 13/16 x 1 1/8 in.
ClassificationsCULINARY ARTIFACTS
Credit Line75th Anniversary Acquisition. Museum Purchase
Object number2011.22.1-7
DescriptionSix lily pad flower-shaped salts with gilded interiors, in original box. Each dish composed of a cast lily flower resting on a lily pad. Black box exterior and red lining.On View
Not on viewCollections
Copyright<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/80x15.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>.
Label TextEconomic growth, along with developments in machine technology, made silver plate and sterling silver more affordable to middle class consumers. A complete, formal, matching silver service could consist of dozens of forms ranging from strawberry forks to salt spoons. An array of new eating utensils was introduced during the second half of the nineteenth century, often in response to new, fashionable foods. Individual salt dishes were used on formal table settings. A set such as this, still in its original box, may have been presented as a wedding or anniversary gift.
ATD
