Bell salts seemed to become fashionable in the 1550s. This salt has three sections, the lower one on three ball feet, and the upper one functions as a pepper caster. It is chased with strapwork and foliate decoration and bears the maker's mark IB below a horseshoe. Salts were of the highest symbolic importance on the English medieval table and were widespread by the 16th century.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Bell salt, 1597–1598
Date supported
2005
Medium and material
Silver gilt
Dimensions
Height: 23.5 cm
Grant
30000
Total cost
150226
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