There was a time when salt cellars played an important role on the dining table for the host or hostess. As a result of it being such an expensive commodity several hundred years ago, salt was seen as a luxury and it was the well to do that made salt cellars quite fashionable & a status symbol for the home. A single salt cellar usually sat at the head of the table and was passed around throughout the meal. The closer one sat to the salt cellar, the more important one was deemed by the head of the household. Smaller cellars that were more accessible and with an open top became a part of Victorian table settings. Fast forward to the 20th century when salt was no longer a luxury and when anti caking agents were added to make salt free-flowing, and one begins to see salt cellars fall out of fashion. Luckily for the collector and for those of us who like to set a table with Good Things, this can prove to be a boon.
Salt cellars for the table come in silver, porcelain, cut glass or crystal and are usually fashioned with or without a lid. Glass salt cellars, known as salt dips to some collectors, can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Depression glass ones can be fun to collect if you have a penchant for this type of glass. My small collection of salt cellars are both clear glass & crystal, with such beautifully cut designs on them.
Depending on the food I'm serving and how many people will be at my table, I love varying the cellars I put out. For my every day table, I usually fill the simplest of depression glass cellars with kosher salt along with one that contains ground pepper. If I'm going to have something a bit more formal, I use those that will complement my glassware, china & silverware. Cellars filled with pepper for guests to sprinkle on their food are always included. I try very hard to make sure every place setting has salt & pepper cellars, but if I lack enough of them for this to be possible, I place a duo between two place settings. This type of set up is more pleasing to the eye when entertaining, because large salt & pepper shakers don't have to distract one from the other arrangements on the table.
I realize that salt cellars aren't for everyone, but I sure enjoy using them. Keep an eye out for these little dishes the next time you're at an antique shop. If you're lucky, you may even find the original spoons that go with them!
Salt cellars for the table come in silver, porcelain, cut glass or crystal and are usually fashioned with or without a lid. Glass salt cellars, known as salt dips to some collectors, can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Depression glass ones can be fun to collect if you have a penchant for this type of glass. My small collection of salt cellars are both clear glass & crystal, with such beautifully cut designs on them.
Depending on the food I'm serving and how many people will be at my table, I love varying the cellars I put out. For my every day table, I usually fill the simplest of depression glass cellars with kosher salt along with one that contains ground pepper. If I'm going to have something a bit more formal, I use those that will complement my glassware, china & silverware. Cellars filled with pepper for guests to sprinkle on their food are always included. I try very hard to make sure every place setting has salt & pepper cellars, but if I lack enough of them for this to be possible, I place a duo between two place settings. This type of set up is more pleasing to the eye when entertaining, because large salt & pepper shakers don't have to distract one from the other arrangements on the table.
I realize that salt cellars aren't for everyone, but I sure enjoy using them. Keep an eye out for these little dishes the next time you're at an antique shop. If you're lucky, you may even find the original spoons that go with them!
Although salt cellars are no longer used for every day table settings, I still love setting my table with antique cellars for lunch or dinner.
These are inexpensive depression glass cellars that are easily found at antique stores and online auction sites. I love their simple faceted design.
This quartet sparkles quite beautifully. They have bottoms hand cut in a diamond pattern with petal shaped rims. I love using these on the table.
Take a closer look at the bottom of one. A sunburst pattern is elaborately hand cut with perfect precision. Simply beautiful.
Here's a look at the snowflake design on the outside bottom.
A plain ribbed oval bottom.
This has a pretty sunburst pattern on the bottom.
These tiny open top vessels always elevate my table settings no matter how informal the meal may be, without making anything seem too fussy or formal.
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With more and more of us becoming savvy gourmands, salt is no longer the "it pours when it rains" item it was several decades ago. Experimenting with salts from all over the world is de rigueur for the most discerning cook & host, and to my mind that is a very Good Thing. Although salt mills & salt shakers will always have a place at the table and in the kitchen, I think it's safe to say that salt cellars can once again grace a dining table for guests.
Many is the time I've come across a story or crafting project that takes one object and forms it into a salt cellar. I have yet to make some out of eggs and sea shells or even hollowed out nut shells. In the meantime I can access and use the antique ones I do own, and set a table that is as suitable today as it was a hundred years or more ago. Happy Entertaining!
I've come across this type of dish before, but never knew what they were used for. They are beautiful! You don't have silver ones?
ReplyDeleteI don't have silver ones (I wish!), but if you're interested in collecting them, make sure you have glass dips to put in them as salt is corrosive. Take a second look at the ones you encounter at shops. You may end up starting a collection for yourself!
ReplyDelete~David
I use mine all the time David. I don't have the spoons but put half salt half pepper in them,per Martha, and let the guest use their knives or spoons to use. Then when the party is over I combine all of the little charms and use them in the kitchen for meats and other cooking needs. Thanks for sharing and I will keep an eye out for the "shovels" .
ReplyDeleteI LOVE IT! I'm so glad other people are using theirs and enjoy them. I was thinking to myself last night: "what type of meal would I not use them for?" I suppose if I were eating bbq chicken & potato salad, or if I was having a burger & fries...
ReplyDelete~David
David, I also have small silver salt and pepper shaker that are cute,cute,cute. If my party is small enough I set out the salt cellars for salt, and the silver shaker for pepper.I have enough that a party of 12 each gets there own set.
ReplyDeleteJust another idea to use the small,overlooked,I think, amenities of years gone by. And it is such fun!
Well now I'm officially jealous! Love love love!!
ReplyDeleteHow can you tell the difference between egg cups and footed salt dips? Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
ReplyDeleteIt's sometimes hard to distiguish between the two, but I've always found footed salt cellars to be a lot smaller than egg cups. Some egg cups are wide enough to have an egg sit halfway down into the cavity of the bowl. Salt cellars are just big enough for about 1-2 tablespoons of salt, they are not that deep and cannot have an egg sit well. (not always though...there are large salt cellars with wide bowls). I hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the free education, and I think that I have a good understanding of salt dips now. Thank you very much for the help!
ReplyDeleteNo problem! Have fun collecting.
ReplyDelete~David
Hi I have a salt cellar that is suare with a divider in the center and the glass has what appear to be a few tiny pieces of rock in it,like it was made into iit by accident.DO you have any idea what this means? Thanks
ReplyDeleteI have a few salt cellars with those imperfections too. My guess is that the glass was not completely clean when it was being made into the shape, therefore one has those "bits" imbedded in the glass. Personally, I don't mind it at all because I think it gives the cellars a bit of character.
ReplyDeleteI have inherited a box of salt cellars from my Mother. I have kept some but don't need them all. What is the best way to go about selling them? I don't think they are expensive....just a very enjoyable hobby for her.
ReplyDeleteDeb
Well, what I would do is separate them by design/style. If you have more than one of a particular design, offer to sell them together (I like buying them this way because it makes it easier to gather a small collection). You can go into a local antique store to see if they're interested in buying them off of you or you can list them on craigslist or ebay.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
Several years ago I inherited my father's collection of salt cellars and have gradually added to it myself. I have over 300 of them. I must admit I've never even thought about actually using them!
ReplyDeleteYou should use them Dianne! They make wonderful additions to a nicely set table. I would love to see what salt cellars you do have.
ReplyDeletehave you ever seen a glass divided little salt dish - the antique store owner said it was a salt and pepper dish - cannot find a picture of the one I saw online
ReplyDeleteI've never come across a divided salt & pepper dish before. Do you have a picture of it? How interesting.
ReplyDeleteThose are just lovely. I have a couple that were my grandmother's that I just treasure!
ReplyDeleteI have stumbled on this because I found this lovely swan with silver movable wings and had no clue what it was. I'm going to go back and buy it. Can you tell me how to tell the quality of it? I see them ranging from $20-$150.... some crystal with silver vs silver plate... but this is very old and the body so small i can't tell if it's crystal... nor can i tell if it's plating. Are there some tips for this?
ReplyDeleteSammie,
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a crystal/glass & silver salt cellar in the form of a swan before. What I can tell you is that the true sign of crystal vs. glass is when you hear a ping vs. a thud after tapping the vessel with our fingernail. Try it: tap your fingernail against the cellar and hear if it has a slight ping or not. The ping will let you know that it is indeed crystal. If you just hear a thud, then it's glass.
As for silver-plate vs. sterling, look for the silverware markings anywhere. The numbers 925 or .925 or the words Sterling anywhere will let you know it's sterling.
I hope this helps. Send me a photo via email if you have a moment, because I'd love to see it. :)
I have two Birmingham Antique Salt Cellars.
ReplyDeleteOne is Lidded with spoon and has the following markings: an anchor, a lion and the letter Z and a bigger marking that I cannot decipher
The second one is open oval shape with the same markings it also says made in England
I have a large collection of salt cellars. I started collecting when my husband's grandmother gave me a six piece set of silver salts. I love them all and use them for dinners with friends and family. I usually set a different salt at each place setting and put small silver shakers out for pepper.
ReplyDeleteDonna, you are like just like me. I love using my salt cellars every single day if I can, and they're perfect for entertaining. If I have enough cellars, I like to give each place setting its own S/P cellars, but if I don't, then I put them in between settings.
DeleteEnjoy them!
Were is the correct placement of the salt well at a formal table?
DeleteVery Blessed Cheri H., the correct placement of the salt & pepper cellars at a formal table setting is to the upper-right of the bread & butter plate, just left of the name card/menu card.
DeleteI am looking for a larger crystal salt cellar for my wife but haven't a clue where to start my search. I don't want to sell the farm to pay for it but because it will be a gift I would like a nice one. Where do I start my search?
ReplyDeleteEbay is always a good place to look for crystal salt cellars, but so is Etsy. You may want to take a look at Ruby Lane too if you wish, but don't overlook antique shops, consignment shops (these places always have them for a lot less than antique stores) and thrift stores.
DeleteBest of luck!
I think what I have is a porcelain covered salt cellar, that was hand painted by my husband's grandfather as it has his initials in gold on the bottom. It is circular in shape with a small "dip" in the rim, probably for a spoon. He was born in 1886, so this is probably quite old. I was going to sell it, but I think I'll keep it and use it, or pass it on to the chef in our family.
ReplyDeleteDonna, that sounds like a family heirloom indeed. That's great that you've kept it and will pass it along!
DeleteHello. While digging through my dads attic space we can across this treasure box. Everything seems dated 1890-1909. Any idea what the glass shovel is? It's about the size of a children's plastic one in today's stores. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWithout looking at a photo of what you have, it could be a salt cellar "spoon/shovel". Email me a photo @ goodthingsbydavid@gmail.com to properly identify what you have.
DeleteCheers!
There are several salt collectors clubs. Also the national convention is in San Diego the first weekend in May. Go to opensalts.info for more information.
ReplyDeletethere are two good references for open salts, the Open Salt Compendium by Sandra Jzyk and Nina Robertson, and 5000 open salts by Heacock and Johnson. there are also two websites dedicated to the subject opensalts.us and opensalts.info, both have great information. The national open salt convention is every two years, this year it's in San Diego May 4-6, and you can find the information at opensalts.info.
ReplyDeleteI have what seems to be a rare salt seller, as I cannot find it anywhere on the internet, nor have I ever seen one like it. It is a crystal ship, seemingly representing the Santa Maria, with a silver sail that is attached, and a silver spoon shaped like an anchor, which is also attached. I'm curious to know the value of this particular salt seller. I'm wondering if anyone has ever seen one like it. I have been informed that there are a few out there, and told that I'm lucky to have it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi David I have some clear salt shakers with legs and some porcelain ones with painting on the side with the initials MGB I would like to sell them I don't know how much they're worth or where to sell them
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother collected salt dips. I have about 20 or more. Where could I sell them?
ReplyDeleteI came across a bottle with a tiny glass spoon in it upside down the orher day. You have answered my wuestion as to what it is. The bottle it is in is definitely not a salt cellar :(. Now to find one :).
ReplyDeletewe had a antique store and started my daughter collecting salts .it's been about 15-18- years she now has over 600 including many master salts ..
ReplyDeleteamazing!!
DeleteI have a glass set from Czech that I believe belonged to my grandmother. I have the original spoons, but there is one spoon more shovel shaped then the rest. Is there a reason to have one distinct spoon versus all the rest?
ReplyDeleteWhen the glass of an old salt or pepper shaker breaks or wears,what is that putty like substance that they use when the threads wear down where the metal screws on to the glass? I have also seen this putty on old oil lamps as well.
ReplyDeleteI actually have found all the ones I have at flea markets for a dollar or less usually. My mother-in-law was a collector of them and I would find them and gift them to her. When she passed, that collection came to me.
ReplyDeleteSo i think i have a salt celler? It has 4 sides scalopped edges slso a star on the bottom. Mom got it from her mom and her mother gave it to her. So three generations so far and my mom is 91 so im thinking its old
ReplyDeleteIt sure sounds like it. Enjoy!
DeleteWhen I was very young, I spent many summers with relatives on their
Deletefarm in Stillwater, PA (not far from Bloomsburg).
Every person had their own salt cellar whenever they had scallions, as they would dip the end of the scallions into them...also celery...
No, I don't have any myself, but I do have the hand bell that they rang to let everyone know it was time to eat.
I just purchased at a garage sale 4 salts that are differently colored glass but with the same impression on the bottom of them all--3 standing characters looking at a character with a sword on a rearing horse. On the clear salt, the impression looks frosted. Any idea on date of origin or value? Thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion for salt dips!
ReplyDeleteLooking for information on a set of cellars and shovels in the original box. Any help would be much appreciated. Need brand and worth for insurance purposes.
ReplyDeleteI use my salt cellars all the time with small pepper shakers…..love them. My question is where does the dessert spoon/fork go? Above the cellars or in front of cellars. Can’t find answer on internet. Appreciate your response. Susan
ReplyDeleteI inherited a lovely set of the tiny pink salt cellars. I adore them, but don’t have what must be teeny tiny spoons? They are too small for a standard spoon to go in them, so haven’t used them. They be hard pressed to be able to stick of piece of celery in them. They are small! How are they supposed to be used? When I look on eBay for salt cellar spoons, they go with a much larger cellar.
ReplyDelete