Pair of Trencher Salts 1719 - 1720

Editor: Here we have a "Pair of Trencher Salts" by James Rood, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. These small, silver containers look so simple, yet so elegant. What can you tell me about the role of salt in dining rituals during the time these were made? Curator: Salt, believe it or not, was a signifier of status and societal hierarchy. Placement of salt determined where you were sitting at the dinner table. The most important people sat "above the salt," closest to the host, while those of lesser importance were placed "below the salt." Editor: Fascinating! So, these aren't just decorative pieces; they speak volumes about the social dynamics of the time. Curator: Precisely. The artistry lies not only in their craftsmanship but in their role as silent commentators on social standing, the politics of dining, and the public performance of privilege. Editor: I see now. Thank you for highlighting the cultural context of these unassuming objects!