Fanciest Salt Container Ever

Came across this while looking for something else.

Created and given by the city of Exeter to Charles II for his coronation c. 1661 (perhaps an apology for Exeter having been a Parliamentarian city).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bHF2dP5eC4

Two pinches, please.

And apparently there are small drawers to contain other seasonings. So maybe it is the world's most expensive spice rack.

Wonder why the Queen doesn't use it instead of keeping it with the crown jewels? "Pass me that nutmeg, Philip..."

Because she doesn't have to play at being queen... she is Queen... it's easier to keep the salt in a shaker you can pick up without three footmen and a set of instructions from a goldsmith.

Agree about the salt cellar being more a work of art than a usable condiment dispenser, but the crown actually uses quite a lot of heritage material - see https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/tr ... nd-service

A complete (and very large) silver gilt set of plates and cutlery commissioned by George IV called the Grand Service is used to this day, 200 years later. There is a short video on that page of them 'building' one of the elaborate pieces.

Thanks, Bill.

Was that salt cellar used as the pattern for the Albert Memorial?

-Paul W.

No, but it looks like it was.