Be Still - Week 34

I've been researching salt cellars. Why? Because our Be Still exercise this week was to include a spoon. Trying to think of something unusual, I remembered that my sister collects salt cellars and many of them have tiny spoons, less than 2" long. Salt cellars have been know by several names: open salt, salt dip, standing salt, master salt, and salt dish.

The use of salt cellars is documented as early as classical Rome. The earliest salt cellars were large ceremonial pieces used on the tables of the aristocracy. At formal dinners, the piece was passed around.

Salt was expensive and considered a luxury. It also defined the seating arrangements at the table. People of importance sat at the high table "above the salt" and lesser rank individuals sat at tables "below the salt."

The smaller, individual salt cellars appeared in the early seventeen century when place settings began to include plates, utensils, and salt in small containers. After the introduction of free-flowing salt in 1911, salt cellars became almost entirely replaced by salt shakers.

Speaking of salt, what about that famous round salt box? One of the most successful and lasting advertising campaigns was created in 1911 when Joy Morton (secretary of the newly formed Morton Salt Company) chose the first Umbrella Girl and the slogan that we all recognize, "When It Rains It Pours."®  Mr. Morton explained his choice: "Here was the whole story  in a picture - the message that the salt would run in damp weather was made beautifully evident." The little Umbrella Girl just had her 100th anniversary last year. She's changed a little over the years. I still favor the original.

Above information and image found at http://www.mortonsalt.com/our-history/history-of-the-morton-salt-girl

A special thank you to my sister, Judith, for allowing me to borrow a couple of her beautiful salt cellars and a lovely porcelain spoon.