Container

About this object

History of use

Salt cellar, used with a small spoon (e.g., 3443/12-16).

Narrative

This set of containers and spoons (3443/1-16) were given to the donor's family in the mid-1950s, from their elderly neighbour, Mrs. Bissett, who lived in Hopkins Landing. Her husband had worked for a steamship company which made regular trips to east Asia in the late 19th/early 20th century, and brought many objects home on his return voyages.

Physical description

Silver container (part a) with glass insert (part b). The container has a bulbous body with concave neck. The sides are decorated with two raised dragons designs, with their long, wavy bodies wrapping around the side. The bowl sits on three globular feet, with a thin, flat handle extending from the back. The lid is hinged, with a small rectangular cutout at the front, pointed knob at centre, and a low relief dragon design wrapping around the lid. The glass insert fits snugly in the bowl of the container. Two makers' marks on base, including WH90.