Victorian Era Silver Plate Open Salt Cellar with Glass Liner
Hollowware (Salt Cellar) · Unidentified manufacturer; typical of mid-to-late 19th-century British or American silver plate companies such as Reed & Barton or Elkington & Co. who specialized in Rococo Revival tablewares.
Pattern: Generic Rococo Revival Pattern featuring acanthus leaf and C-scroll motifs; common in the mid-Victorian era.
Type
Hollowware (Salt Cellar)
Maker
Unidentified manufacturer; typical of mid-to-late 19th-century British or American silver plate companies such as Reed & Barton or Elkington & Co. who specialized in Rococo Revival tablewares.
Material
Silver Plate on white metal (likely EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) with a clear glass insert. Note the visible copper/brass hue in high-friction areas suggesting base metal exposure.
Dimensions
Estimated 5-7 cm in height and 8-10 cm in width including handle. Weight is primarily in the glass liner; silver frame is relatively lightweight.
Description
An ornate Victorian silver-plated open salt, featuring a flamboyant C-scroll handle topped with a feathered acanthus leaf. The body is wrapped in dense foliate ornamentation, providing a grand aesthetic for an essential dining accessory of the period. A clear glass liner sits within the metal frame, protecting the silver from the corrosive effects of salt.
Key Features
Ornate acanthus-capped handle, Rococo C-scroll silhouette, and a dual-material construction featuring a protective inner glass vessel.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate on white metal (likely EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) with a clear glass insert. Note the visible copper/brass hue in high-friction areas suggesting base metal exposure.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver finish with Rococo Revival elements including cast acanthus leaf thumb-rests, C-scroll handle, and repoussé/chased floral and foliate scrollwork on the body.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No marks visible in provided image; likely located on the underside. Expect stamps such as 'EPNS', 'Quadruple Plate', or a specific manufacturer's logo and pictorial marks.
Construction Details
Cast handle and rim attached to a die-stamped or raised body via soft solder. The frame is designed to hold a removable molded or blown glass liner.
Functional Features
Removable glass liner for easy cleaning (prevents salt corrosion on metal), scroll handle for passing at the table, and a wide mouth for a salt spoon.
Handle & Grip Details
Cast white metal scroll handle with an integrated acanthus leaf thumb-piece; soldered to the main bowl frame at two points.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality Victorian craftsmanship; featuring well-defined casting on the handle but showing typical 'heavy' soldering points characteristic of mass-produced silver plate.
Authentication Indicators
The style of wear (plate loss) and the color of the oxidized metal in the chased details are consistent with late 19th-century electroplate rather than solid sterling silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United Kingdom (Birmingham/Sheffield) or United States (New England); mass-produced via industrial electroplating processes.
Era & Period
Victorian Era (c. 1860-1890); Rococo Revival style marked by symmetrical scrolls and naturalistic foliate decoration.
Age Estimate
Circa 1870-1885 based on the handle style, the specific acanthus leaf casting, and the presence of a fitted glass liner.
Cultural Significance
Salt cellars were symbols of hospitality and status; seating 'above the salt' denoted higher social standing at the Victorian dining table.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. Visible 'bleeding' of silver plate on the handle and rim where the darker base metal shows through. Occasional pitting and moderate tarnish in the crevices of the scrollwork.
Value Estimate
$25 - $65 USD (Values are lower for silver plate compared to sterling; the presence of an original, chips-free glass liner is the primary value driver here).
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash glass separately. Clean metal frame with a non-abrasive silver cream (like Wright's) using a soft toothbrush for crevices. Avoid immersion in water to prevent moisture trapped behind joints.
Similar Pieces
Sterling silver salts of the same era (will have hallmarks), or later 20th-century reproductions which often lack the crispness of Victorian casting.
Interesting Facts
Before free-flowing salt was invented in the early 20th century, 'open salts' were universal; the glass liner was a vital innovation to prevent the chemical reaction between salt and silver.