Saltcellar

mid-13th century

Not on view

Refined design, exquisite craftsmanship, and costly materials make this a rare and unusually precious object. The rock crystal, cut in the shape of a boat, may have served as a container for salt. Such table objects are described in several French royal inventories. The attribution is supported by the similarity of design to other mid-thirteenth century objects ascribed to Paris, a preeminent center of goldsmithing and carved crystal work.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Saltcellar
Date: mid-13th century
Geography: Made in Paris, France
Culture: French
Medium: Gold, rock crystal, emeralds, pearls, spinel or balas rubies
Dimensions: 5 7/8 × 3 7/16 in. (15 × 8.8 cm)
Rock Crystal: 1 5/16 × 2 1/8 × 3 3/8 in. (3.3 × 5.4 × 8.5 cm)
Diam. of foot: 3 1/8 in. (8 cm)
Classification: Metalwork-Gold
Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1983
Object Number: 1983.434
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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