Salt Cellar
Chelsea Manufactory
(England, active 1745–1784)
about 1745–49
Medium/TechniqueSoft-paste porcelain with colored enamel decoration
DimensionsOverall: 7 x 14 x 12.7 cm (2 3/4 x 5 1/2 x 5 in.)
Credit LineJessie and Sigmund Katz Collection
Accession number1988.710
On View
On viewClassificationsCeramics
Collections
Early Chelsea models were often inspired by contemporary silver. This salt cellar was based on an engraving of the 1730s by Parisian silversmith and designer Juste-Aurèle Meissonier.
InscriptionsunmarkedProvenance1953, purchased at auction in London through Alex Lewis [see note 1]; 1988, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Sigmund Katz. (Accession date: November 30, 1988)NOTES:
[1] In a letter to Kathryn Buhler (September 29, 1953), Sigmund Katz reported, "Lewis will be shipping several pieecs which he acquited for us shortly after he reached England in the sales rooms...there is a coloured crayfish salt."
