Accession Number

988.005.001.001a-b

Description

A silver and glass saltceller consisting of: a. an openwork silver frame, the long sides depicting one winged cherub on a swing and on the short sides a swan in a pond with shrubbery and trees; four ball-shaped feet, each on a short post, one in each corner of the underside, b. a cobalt blue ground glass removable insert somewhat rectangular in design widening toward the opening and following the shape of the frame.

Narrative

This circa 1890 French saltcellar is one of a pair. Their Dunsmuir family and Hatley Park provenance make them an important part of the The Castle Society's Primary Collection.

At a fine Victorian dining table, it was expected that there would be one saltcellar for every two diners. 

History of Use

This saltcellar and its mate, 988.005.001.002, was purchased at the Hatley Park auction on June 1, 1939 by Miriam Barrie McKay, who then resided in San Mateo or Hillsborough, California. They eventually came into the possession of a Victoria resident who donated them to Craigdarroch Castle in 1988. She had been using them at her home at 1821 Leabrook Place. 

Three distinct entries in the 1939 Hatley Park Auction catalogue (See: 984.064.002) support the declared provenance:
Lot 3 - Pair Silver Salts
Lot 14 - Pair Silver Salts
Lot 87 - 14 Blue Salts and 6 Silver Mounts

 

Date

circa 1890

Dimensions

5.2 x 3.7 x 6.3 cm

Material

Glass; Metal, silver

School/Style

Rococo Revival

Country of Origin

Republic of France