Salt cellars have been around since ancient Rome. Salt was a prized possession, and in the Middle Ages, a large silver dish of salt was considered a status symbol. It was placed prominently in front of the host to indicate his prosperity. 
Soon, smaller petite-sized salt receptacles were created for dinner guests to share. In the 1600s, small salt spoons were designed to accompany each salt cellar. In the Victorian era, an individual salt cellar was displayed for each guest to have at the table and considered quite a vogue. In the early 20th century, “salt shakers” were developed when anti-clumping salt was invented.
Our wooden salt cellar is copied from a mid-18th-century original. It measures 2 1/2 inches tall and 2 3/4 inches in diameter.