Salt Spoons and Cellers

Before the salt shaker was invented in the 19th century, households used salt cellars-small open dishes, often glass, porcelain, or silver-to hold salt.

Salt spoons began appearing in the 18th century as refinement in table manners grew and the use of fingers was considered impolite. Salt was once extremely valuable sometimes even called white gold. Its presence on the table was a sign of wealth and affluence, even more so with the addition of individual ornate spoons and cellars at each place setting. 

A full set of salt spoons and cellars was once a standard wedding gift, since salt symbolized hospitality, preservation and good fortune. 

In the mid-1800s, the invention of the salt shaker (helped along by Morton’s free-flowing salt in 1911) gradually made salt cellars and their spoons obsolete and this status symbol of history became a thing of whimsy to us today. But with ornate, sterling silver spoons still running $40 per spoon, and some cellars reaching over $100 each, it could still cost quite dearly to furnish a whole table.

 

Extra Salty Fun Fact:

In medieval Europe, the “Great Salt” (a large, ornate salt container) sat at the center or head of the banquet table. Your position relative to it showed your social rank: those seated “above the salt” were of higher status, and those “below the salt” were of lesser standing.

 

Next time someone says “pass the salt” you’ll have more than just the shaker to share.