Salt Cellar
| Title | Salt Cellar |
|---|---|
| Date | Second half 16th century |
| Medium | Rock crystal, gold, and and enamel |
| Dimensions | Overall: 3 1/8 x 4 1/2 x 4 3/8 in. (7.9 x 11.4 x 11.1 cm) Sight: 2 3/4 x 4 x 4 1/4 in. (7 x 10.2 x 10.8 cm) |
| Credit Line | Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 72.100.1 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
A crystal, oval-shaped vessel that has handles on both sides and sits on a base. It is decorated with plant motifs and there are strips of gold enamel at the base and handles.
This saltcellar (a vessel for storing and serving salt), resembles a scallop shell, reflecting the Renaissance interest in the natural world. Because salt was an expensive commodity, saltcellars like this one were often elaborately crafted from valuable materials.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
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Cite this page
"Salt Cellar | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=72.100.1