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Salt
Marked by: Edward Farrell (English, registered in 1813)
English (London)
1824–25
Object Place: Europe, London, England
Medium/Technique
Silver gilt
Dimensions
H. 22.2 cm x 16.5 cm x 9.3 cm. (8 3/4 x 6 1/2 x 9.3 in.)
Weight: 1,11.3 gm (35 oz 15 dwt)
Weight: 1,11.3 gm (35 oz 15 dwt)
Credit Line
Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Charlotte Beebe Wilbour
Accession Number1989.314
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionEach salt is composed of a spiral shell with a fluted lip on clawed legs. Beneath the lip of the salt is a bearded, turbaned demifigure. The whole rests on a base formed of a tortoise. The handle is formed from the serpent's tail of a fantastic winged creature who perches, as the thumbpiece of the salt, blowing a conch shell. The salt is assembled from heavily cast components, richly chased and thickly gilt.
Marks
To left of handle, liopn passant; leopard's head; date letter i; sovereign's head; maker's mark EF.
InscriptionsARMORIALS: engraved on the lip of both salts to the right of the handle, the Royal crest with the Garter motto and surmounted by a Royal coronet, presumably for the Duke of York.
ProvenanceMade for, Frederick Augustus, Duke of York (1763-1827); March 19, 1827, sold from the Estate of the Duke of York at Christie's, London, lots 85-86, and bought by Thomas B. L. By 1953, with the Rt. Hon. Earl Howe; July 1, 1953, sold by Earl Howe at Christie's, London, lot 109. By 1985, Villiers David, Esq.; November 27, 1985, sold from the collection of the late Villiers David, at Christie's, London, lot 122 and bought by Robert Eaton, for Museumpiece, Zurich. By 1989, with James Robinson, Inc., New York; 1989, sold by James Robinson to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 25, 1989)