The Secret Life of Antiques | Open Salts
Our farm-to-table aesthetic has us abandoning salt and pepper shakers in favor of more trendy open salts or salt cellars. The most discerning cooks and hostesses these days use coarse, gourmet salts from all over the world, do you?
Not just for setting gorgeous tables, salt cellars, or dips as collectors sometimes call them, is a fun collection to begin! There are many different kinds, and they all fit neatly into a little case, display shelf, or in a small cabinet, which makes this a collection every one of us can have. AND...then there is the fact that they bring so much personality to your table settings.
I'm sharing my story that I wrote for the Romantic Homes Magazine Holiday Edition with you today. Salt...who knew it played such an important part in history?
History
Salt is something we take for granted, but at one time salt was highly prized, quite expensive and worthy of the most elaborate holders.
Historically salt was more a commodity than a condiment. Salt was used as currency at various times and places, symbolic of social and economic standing, it has even been the cause of bitter warfare. Salt has a rich history, from the Middle Ages up to the Industrial Revolution salt was crucial to farmers to preserve meat through the winter, safeguarding against famine.
According to historical records, thousands of Napoleon’s troops died during his retreat from Moscow simply because their wounds wouldn’t heal due to lack of salt in their diet. The punitive gabelle, a French salt tax, is thought to have contributed to the French Revolution.
The salt container marked the boundary line on the table between honorable land owners and the "common" guests. This is how the English term "below the salt" was born, indicating someone of little or no social importance. For centuries salt was carefully placed on the table in dishes with a tiny salt spoon, in just the "right” place!
Because salt was such an expensive commodity hundreds of years ago, salt was seen as a luxury, worthy of the most precious and fashionable holders, well into the early 1900’s.
What to Collect
Vessels made to hold salt have always been created with great skill. Very early examples are plain, crafted of the finest silver or gold, in triangular, octagonal, or circular shapes. By the end of the 1700’s, these unassuming salt containers became elaborate, sophisticated pieces to grace the tables of the rich with their beauty and usefulness. Open salts became more streamlined again in the 1920’s, stunning art deco glass salts from Czechoslovakia with alluring etched designs being the most collectable.
Open salts come in a vast variety of designs, and a range of sizes, from large shared bowls to small individual dishes. Salt cellars were made in gold, sterling silver, crystal, glass, porcelain, and pottery, designs were simple to extremely ornate. Glass salt cellars, known as salt dips by collectors, are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Some collectors only collect one type of open salt, some collect all the salts they love. There are also a legion of collectors who only collect the diminutive salt spoons.
What to Look For
Look for salts that are in good condition. Sterling salts may have slight indentations, due to their high silver content, which is acceptable if not considerable.
Most silver salt cellars come with fitted glass liners, as salt is terribly corrosive to metal. {Many silver salts were plated in gold inside, as gold does not corrode.} Try to purchase silver salts with their original liners.
Avoid crystal or glass open salts with chips or cracks, but don’t be worried if there are a few “lines” in the early glass salts. Known as “straw marks”, early glass was cooled in straw and will sometimes have marks.
There are no rules to collecting open salts. Collect what you love, salt cellars are beautiful to display when you are not using them at your table. Salt cellars combine the history of antiques with their usefulness and beauty, it’s no wonder collectors and antique enthusiasts want to purchase at least one!
** Salt is terribly corrosive. Be sure to empty out and clean your open salts after each use.
I hope you enjoyed learning more about the history of salt...and those little holders and spoons. They range from the inexpensive, to the better, sterling silver examples. A mis-matched collection is sure to add personality to your tabletop and spark conversation! Would you use little salt cellars?
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Gary Nelson
June 09, 2020
This is a beautiful site, with a wonderful selection of great looking salts.