Art Funded by you

Bell salt

Unknown artist, 1597–1598

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

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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