Interior Decorating Information

Pass the Salt - Its a Hot Collectible


Part of the attraction of any collectible is the story that surrounds it, and salt-cellars have a tale to tell. Here's what you need to know about this condiment collectible.

The Salt

Salt-cellars, sometimes called "the salt," open salts or salt dips, have been around for centuries. They are the dishes from which salt was served with tiny spoons or the end of a knife blade. In informal situations, you could pinch the salt from the dishes.

Early salt was coarse and caked in humid weather. It had to be kept in open dishes so that the coarse salt could be broken up before serving.

Materials

Salt-cellars were made of many materials including wood, glass, pottery, pewter, crystal, sterling and Faberge. They ranged in style from unadorned, simple-shaped glass to chic decorative sterling silver.

History

In the Middle Ages, where you were seated in relation to the placement of the salt on the table signified your social stature. The desirable seating position was "above the salt," a term that is still sometimes used. Wealthy Romans' liberal use of salt, a precious commodity at that time, broadcast their social status.

One of the most famous salt-cellars is depicted in Leonardo da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper." It shows an upturned salt-cellar in front of Judas, which signifies bad luck or bad faith.

Salt-cellars became archaic in the early 19th century when new glass technology developed. Glass salt shakers were born and salt-cellars were obsolete.

Desirable Collectible

Salt-cellars are attractive collectibles. They are unique and decorative. You can have an assortment yet they do not take up too much space. Plus, they are not too expensive so you can develop a collection without breaking the bank, ranging in price from a few dollars to pricier crystal or sterling silver.

Antique shops, flea markets, garage sales and E-bay are all good sources for salt-cellars.

Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium, an antique shop located in Toronto, Canada. He does furniture restoration, caning and rushing repairs, custom reproductions, upholstery, teaches courses on antiques and does appraisals for estates and community events. He can be reached at 416-785-4555 or by visiting http://www.takeaboo.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Interior decorating trends toward rich color, vintage look
Tampabay.com, FL - Nov 10, 2008
By Scripps Howard News Service Economic extremes call for color extremes. Check the predictions for colors at Color Marketing Group, which has been ...


DEAN'S OFFICE MEMO | Miller ready to step up
Yale Daily News, CT - 12 hours ago
But for Miller, preparations have included not only meetings and documents but also interior decorating. Since she was appointed in mid-October, ...


SocialEyes: Lots of good causes get Arlington into the holiday spirit
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - 15 hours ago
By Faye Reeder Holiday interior decorating for a good cause: If you have not attended the Designer’s Holiday Collection before, you don’t know what you’re ...


Stressed About Money and Holiday Gifts? Give Inexpensive ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Nov 19, 2008
UniqueDecorativePillows.com provides news feeds with tips and interior decorating ideas. For instance, if you know someone who is ready to go "green" at ...


Warren Sapp is not afraid of a lot of people but mom has his attention
USA Today - Nov 20, 2008
... called former Keyshawn Johnson a "bitch" on national television in reference to Johnson's new reality show on interior decorating. ...


Steak house hoping to become San Mateo fixture
San Mateo County Times, CA - Nov 19, 2008
He left the important task of interior decorating to his wife of 20 years, Maris Klein. "That's the best thing, when people walk in and ask who did this," ...


Coleman vs. Franken: The Rematch
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - Nov 17, 2008
And Renee Golinvaux, 43, picks out carpet, tile and plumbing fixtures for her interior decorating business in Prior Lake. They'll put their lives on hold ...


Designing the home of your dreams
Orillia Packet & Times, Canada - 10 hours ago
This book has been described by the experts as being "an interior decorating store at your fingertips." "Better Homes and Gardens" has published an ...


Housing skid claims another victim
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, AR - Nov 20, 2008
Alexandra’s, a 17-year fixture in Rogers specializing in floral design and interior decorating, began liquidating its inventory Wednesday, the latest victim ...


Astronauts prepare for spacewalk and moving day
Tucson Citizen, AZ - Nov 17, 2008
Earlier Monday, astronauts set the stage for days of interior decorating that will allow the station to double its permanent crews to six people next year, ...

Interior-Decorating - Google News

home | site map
© 2006