Saltcellar

Unknown

mid-13th century · Gold, rock crystal, emeralds, pearls, spinel or balas rubies · The Cloisters

Refined design, exquisite craftsmanship, and costly materials make this a rare and unusually precious object. The rock crystal, cut in the shape of a boat, may have served as a container for salt. Such table objects are described in several French royal inventories. The attribution is supported by the similarity of design to other mid-thirteenth century objects ascribed to Paris, a preeminent center of goldsmithing and carved crystal work.

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid-13th century

Medium

Gold, rock crystal, emeralds, pearls, spinel or balas rubies

Culture

French

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 1983