304 - Salt cellar, later converted into a box for holy oils.
See original version (French)

Estimate €600 - €1,000

Description

Salt cellar, later converted into a box for holy oils. Made of pewter. The body is cubic in shape, resting on a small moulded foot, fitted with a hinged, rounded lid and finished with a tassel. The sides are decorated with a Janus-like portrait, two depictions of the devil (?) and a woman in an antique-style pose, wearing a crown. Some inscriptions are barely visible, whilst others are partially legible; they are arranged around the rim of the box in three superimposed bands. The lid is decorated with cherubs. Inside, there are three small cylinders marked ‘O SANTUM’, ‘O CRISMA’ and ‘O INFIRMORUM’. France, first half of the 16th century H. 11.8 cm – W. 6 cm One small cylinder is damaged. There are ink markings inside the box reading ‘RE’ and ‘CONC’. Note from Mr Commenchal: an identical salt cellar was sold by Mr Boscher in Cherbourg on 2 August 2020, having been appraised by me. It was the only example I had come across out of more than forty. The text around the rim was more legible and read: ‘MAY GOD GRANT US MANY YEARS OF GOOD HEALTH – MY WAY IS TO /…/ WINE AND SALT AT THE TABLE – SALT AND /…/ LET ONLY SALT /…/ GO DOWN MY THROAT’.

See original version (French)

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About the sale GLASSED TERRACOTTA AND FOLK ART, A PRIVATE COLLECTION AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Auction location

Auction time 11/05/2026 at 2:30 PM

Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House

304 - Salt cellar, later converted into a box for holy oils. See original version (French)

304 - Salt cellar, later converted into a box for holy oils.
See original version (French)