Salt Cellar Trivia at the Midwest Emporium

Added: (Wed Mar 22 2006)

Pressbox (Press Release) - The Full Story:

Earliest recorded Salt dishes date back to Pre-Christianity~ 1st Century AD. Just as today‘s superstition goes, it was considered bad luck to spill salt. An overturned salt dish is shown in front of Judas in de Vinci’s “The Last Supper” painting. Over the centuries, salts have been made from many materials and called by many names. The best things come in small packages and make terrific, easy to display collectibles! There are some interesting facts in the book, “5000 Open Salts - A Collector‘s Guide” by William Heacock and Patricia Johnson.

Did you know a tiny Salt Cellar could sell for $1.00 to hundreds of dollars? You’ll find them in Art Glass, Cut Glass, Pressed or Pattern Glass, Blown Glass, Hand Painted China, Fine Porcelain, Figurals, Animals, Baskets, and also in lidded versions.

Salts were made for serving salt at the dinner table. For centuries, literally thousands have been produced. They have been made from Glass, China, Porcelain, Pottery, Wood, Bone, Shells, Plastics, Silver, Silver-plate, Pewter, and other metals.

Salt dishes have been called by many names: Salt Dips, Cellars, Celery Dips, Trencher Salts, Salters and Salts. Open Salts is the most commonly used term today, to differentiate them from shakers which became a more practical choice by the late 19th Century. Shakers were not practical until salt was successfully treated with moisture absorbing agents. Salt dips are now a part of our history and culture that isn’t likely to be repeated.

Earliest salts were made of carved woods, gold, and silver. They were more commonly used in Europe than in America. In 1329, King Edward III was reported to have over 500 Trencher Salts. Charles 1st from the 1600s owned a gem studded golden salt which weighed over 150 ounces.

Most of the Old Salts seen today were produced by the thousands during the Victorian Era of approximately 1837 - 1901. Many seen in America were imported from various countries in Europe and Japan.

During the Victorian Golden Age, popular pattern glass came in “Matching Table Lines”.
To qualify as “Pattern Glass” they had to be part of a table line. Otherwise, these odd patterns or shapes were classified as “Specialty or Novelty” items and their accurate term is “Pressed Glass”. American Pattern Glass was copied by competing factories and many of the specialty pieces are just varied designs of an original pattern.

There were over 260 glass cutting shops in America at the end of the Victorian Era. A slight variance of a cut could prevent a lawsuit. Circa 1900, you could buy 144 Pressed salts for $3.30 or in 1918 your $4.00 would buy 12 Cut Glass salts.

Open Salts production was phased out about the same time that Colored Tableware AND Shakers became popular. Most colored salts are reproductions, made after the Victorian Era, right up to the brand new ones found today. Many salts are imported, but others are currently being made in America.

Research in books about salts will help you determine age, although that alone does not determine value. Material, workmanship, condition and buyer demand are also important factors. Many collectors really don’t care about age. These pretty little treasures just reach out and grab the heart!

Have limited space? You’ll find Open Salts an excellent, challenging, and beautiful tiny collectible! 10,000 or more different examples are available for collecting! They display nicely in Mirrored Shadow boxes. Or paint some old yard sticks, cut, and piece them into small wall mounting shelves. Whatever your life style, you’ll find them a very pleasing collectible, making for hours and hours of Happy Hunting!

The Midwest Emporium is a great place to browse through a selection of over 75 salts. The selection changes regularly, the older ones sell quickly, but the new ones are also in big demand. Just browsing will bring many smiles. If you choose to shop, that’s OK too! The Midwest Emporium is celebrating it’s 2nd Anniversary March 22 - 26, 2006. Everything in the store will be 15 % off.

If Open Salt Dips or Cellars aren’t Your Thing, you’ll see A Little Bit of Everything~ from Antiques & Art, Advertising, Books, Collectibles, China and Dinnerware, Figurines & Knic Knacs, Glass, Holiday & Seasonal Items, Household, Jewelry, Kitchenware, Porcelain & Pottery, Sewing & Crafts, and Toys. If you love little Salt Dips or any kind of Old or New Collectible Stuff, then drop by the Midwest Emporium at www.tias.com/stores/mwe. Grab that cup of coffee or soda and enjoy some leisure time! If you happen to be on eBay, please visit our Other Midwest Emporium store at www.stores.ebay.com/midwestemporium?refid=store . It’s a place where there is lots of variety, lots of memories and fun!.