Skip to main content

Baluster-Shaped Saltcellar

 (French, 1513–after 1584)
Datemid 16th century
MediumLimoges; enamel on copper, parcel-gilt
DimensionsH.: 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm); diam.: 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of Alexis Gregory, 2021
Accession number2021.4.01
Commentary

The main scene on the foot of this saltcellar in baluster form is from the story of Lot (Genesis 19:138). After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his daughters find shelter in a cave in the mountains. During two consecutive nights, his daughters inebriate him and violate him without his knowledge in order to preserve their family line. The receptacle depicts a bearded man in profile crowned with laurels against a dark background with gold dots, and the rim is composed of leonine masks and fruit bouquets in strapwork. The main composition is derived from woodcuts by Bernard Salomon (ca. 1508 or 1510ca. 1561) published in Les Quadrins historiques de la Bible from 1553.

Collection History
Hollingworth Magniac (1786–1867), in what is known as the Colworth Collection, Bedfordshire, England; probably to his son Charles Magniac (1827–91); sale, Christie's, Manson & Woods, London, July 5, 1892 (lot 240); possibly with the Durlacher Brothers, London; sale, Sotheby's, New York, January 26, 2000 (lot 40), purchased by Alexis Gregory, 2000?; Gift to The Frick Collection, 2021
Not On View
Painted enamel saltcellar
Pierre Reymond
ca. 1545
Black painted enamel ewer
Pierre Reymond
late 16th century
Black painted enamel dish depicting a battle scene of Jason confronting the giants
Pierre Reymond
1567–68
Small heart-shaped painted enamel plaque depicting the litanies of the Blessed Virgin
Pierre Reymond
mid 16th century
Black painted enamel covered cup
Pierre Reymond
late 16th century
Black painted enamel covered cup
Pierre Reymond
late 16th century
Black painted enamel calendar dish for the month of May
Attributed to Martial Courteys
ca. 1565–75
Painted enamel plaque of Jupiter under a canopy
Jean de Court (Master I.C.)
16th century
Painted enamel plaque depicting the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane
French, Limoges
mid 16th century
Painted enamel oval medallion depicting  Apollo and the Muses
Suzanne de Court
ca. 1600
Closed for renovation
THE FRICK COLLECTION
1 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021

Closed for renovation
FRICK ART RESEARCH LIBRARY
10 East 71st Street
New York, NY 10021

Permanently closed
FRICK MADISON
Copyright © 1998-2024 The Frick Collection. All Rights Reserved.
FacebookYoutubeInstagramTwitterGoogle Arts and Culturemenusearch2xX