The local presenceBecause of its vital use in food, and its ancient role in conserving foodstuffs, salt has always been a necessity and one of the most sought-after goods, just like the main foodstuffs and certain rare and precious items like gold or myrrh. This is why the history of salt can be traced through the art of entertaining. Throughout the centuries, man has competed with his fellow man to come up with more imaginative and artistic ways of presenting salt to his guests.
SALINS has a collection of saltcellars and salt shakers in earthenware and porcelain comprising over 160 pieces from various sources: from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. SALINS is delighted to offer you a glimpse of some of the more original pieces
here :
This is a very rare ‘presentation’ saltcellar used as a centrepiece.
The salt shaker is supported by four cherubs sitting on the circular base.
The underglaze decoration is in cobalt blue monochrome. This Persian-inspired decorative style, comprised of hinds, hares, birds, foliage and flowers, is known as ‘calligraphic’. One remarkable feature: the piece is dated 1660 under the base. H.18 cm – D. 17 cm. A hanap in the same decorative style is shown in the catalogue of the Ceramica sacra e profana de Monte San Savino exhibition, page 116, July 1989. Deruta. 17th century.
Salt shaker with piedouche, on three feet; in Nevers earthenware; underglaze decoration in blue monochrome, with people, animals, insects and plants in the ‘Conrade’ style. H.12.5 cm – Latter half of the 17th century.
Saltcellar in the form of a man sitting on rocks: he is dressed in the style of the 18th century with tricorn hat. Polychrome decoration on glaze earthenware: apple green, light green, Cassius crimson, light and dark manganese. A similar model, belonging to a private collection, was lent to the Musée du Louvre for the Faïences Françaises exhibition from 6 June to 25 August 1980. See catalogue no. 383, page 257. H.12 cm – L. 16.5 cm. Made by Sceaux Faience. Period: transition between Jacques Chapelle and the Association de Charles Symphorien Jacques à Joseph Jullien under the patronage of Louis Charles de Bourbon, Comte d’Eu, son of the Duchesse du Maine. c.1763.
Rare and important saltcellar in fine earthenware: this is a young lady dressed in Empire-Restoration style clothing, holding in her hands a small scallop shell saltcellar. The subject matter and clothing are reminiscent of the earthenware of the north of France, probably Le Havre. H. 22cm. Early 19th century.
Pair of China saltcellars, hexagonal, decorated with antiquities. Borders decorated with cartouches with flowers. H: 5.5 cm. K’ang Hsi period. 1662-1722
Triple, small saltcellars, formed by three cups surmounted with three basket-handle arches decorated with ribbons: gold decoration on white background. Hard porcelain created by Manufacture Royale de Sèvres. c. 1785. Date not marked. Similar model to the one produced for the Comtesse du Barry, in 1771, for the amount of 48 pound coins. ‘Sèvres, des origines à nos jours’ by Marcelle Brunet and Tamara Preaud. Office du Livre, Fribourg 1978, page 186, figure 187.
Saltcellar in the form of a young woman, in 17th century dress, sat between two wicker-work hampers on a rocaille base. German hard porcelain. H:10 cm – L:11 cm. Made by Frankental. Signed underneath, in blue, are the interlaced and crowned initials C T, indicating the mark of Carl Théodor, and A B for Adam Bergdoll. c.1762-1775.
Square saltcellar, supported by four lion paws and framed by four winged sirens standing on the corners. The whole surface is painted in a decorative style known as a rafaellesche, used in Urbino and inspired by the compositions of Raphael in the apartments of the Vatican.
The Salins du Midi whale: saltcellars in Limoges porcelain, 1934.
Designed and signed by Benjamin Rabier, famous animal cartoonist, author of the comic strip ‘Gédéon le Canard’ and creator of the ‘La Vache Qui Rit’ (The Laughing Cow).