Topic: un-named clear glass salt.

[Paul S.]

the second of two salts from the last couple of days.       Salts come in a zillion shapes and designs, but thought this one seemed more unusual than most  -  the shape reminds me of something along the lines of a Greek, Roman, Etruscan something or another  -  a piece of furniture, footstall or similar.       Can't put finger on it but something in the grey matter rings a bell. 
   
About 3.5 inches (9 cms.) long and about 2 inches (5 cms.) tall with lemon squeezer underside.    Plenty of wear and it rocks a tad  -  doubtless a non-starter as to maker, but just thought folk might like a stab at age - I'd go for late C19.     

thanks for looking  -  sorry pix are a bit naff.

[flying free]

Nice shape.  It reminds me of piano foot insulators for some reason.
Could it have been that rather than a salt maybe?
Is it pressed and cut/polished as well?

[Paul S.]

I'd suggest the fact it rests on two outside curved supports only would likely discount the insulator theory  -  from memory all the insulators I've had are supported on the entire base area though again, from memory, some of those do have lemon squeezer undersides.       There appears to be a lack of abrasion on the inside of the cavity, so again I'm thinking no piano foot has ever set foot inside this one, and the cavity has perhaps less depth than your average insulator.   But he ho, give me another three - and a baby grand - and we'll see if the suggestion works.        The fact it wobbles a tad is irritating  -  I've half a mind to rub the thing on some w. & d. and level it up.
It's a very unusual shape - neither round nor square - and the circular supports I'm sure give a nod to something classical.

both the top and sides have been ground and polished - under a loupe the lines can still be seen - also the narrow top ledge at each end, though the remainder is as it came from a mould I believe.
Can't show you by means of a photo, but when viewed from the side the original pressure/swirl marks - where the gob was forced into the mould - show up as a web of faint lines and curves in the main body - quite attractive.

[flying free]

they remind me of the scrabble letter holders for some reason  
But I know what you mean.

[Anne]

That's an unusual shape Paul, I don't recall seeing one like it before.

[thewingedsphinx]

Nice, possibly still in manufacture, by William Yeoward.
Regards Mike

[Paul S.]

thanks Mike  -  what makes you suggest the possibility of 'current manufacture'?

[thewingedsphinx]

Fairly sure you can still buy them ( scrolled footed salt ) new as I research one a while ago and found new ones on google. There quite expensive😃

[Greg.]

Here's a link to a William Yeoward example, not sure if there are subtle differences, especially looking at the scroll feet....

https://www.williamyeowardcrystal.com/salt-dish-with-spoon-1038

[Paul S.]

thanks Greg  -  I am surprised that a salt like this still has a market, and particularly at that price.         As you say, there is a slight difference insofar as the design of the scrolls are more conspicuous, but otherwise a very good copy although just possible the size has been reduced slightly  -  thanks for providing/searching for the link - fascinating.           It's possible that somewhere in the past I may have seen an C18 example which was how I remember seeing this particular shape.                In view of the damage and wear, have assumed mine is original from the Georgian period which makes it my oldest salt by far  -   so much for my suggestion of late C19.                       thanks to everyone for all the input.