Salt Cellar
by Benvenuto CELLINI

Cellini worked in the service of François I from 1537 until 1545, and it was under his patronage in Paris that he made his first sculptures. Arguably his most remarkable individual work dates from this time: a salt cellar made of gold, ebony and enamel, now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. This lavish item of tableware is a sculptural group in miniature. Two figures, a male and a female, recline upon an ornate base. She is the goddess of earth, he is Neptune, god of the sea. Below them are carved personifications of the times of the day and the four winds, and beside them sit two beautifully wrought receptacles: a miniature temple to house earth's peppercorns, and a boat to carry Neptune's salt.

Cellini's gold and enamel container for salt and pepper is the most famous example of Mannerist goldsmithery. Cellini tells us that he had five workmen to help him with this and other artistic activities for King Francis I.

The salt cellar was stolen from the museum in May 2003 and recovered by police in January 2006.

Preview Picture Data File Info Comment
Salt Cellar
1540-44
Gold, enamel and ebony, 26 x 33,5 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

1250*900
True Color
156 Kb



Salt Cellar
1540-44
Gold, enamel and ebony, 26 x 33,5 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

1312*1100
True Color
202 Kb



Salt Cellar
1540-44
Gold, enamel and ebony, 26 x 33,5 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

1143*1000
True Color
151 Kb



Salt Cellar
1540-44
Gold, enamel and ebony, 26 x 33,5 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

1000*1235
True Color
179 Kb



Salt Cellar (detail)
1540-44
Gold, enamel and ebony
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

1000*1124
True Color
157 Kb



Salt Cellar (detail)
1540-44
Gold, enamel and ebony
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

1379*900
True Color
149 Kb



Salt Cellar (detail)
1540-44
Gold, enamel and ebony
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

1300*868
True Color
186 Kb



Salt Cellar (detail)
1540-44
Gold, enamel and ebony
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

1329*752
True Color
111 Kb



Salt Cellar (detail)
1540-44
Gold, enamel and ebony
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

1300*752
True Color
116 Kb



Salt Cellar (detail)
1540-44
Gold, enamel and ebony
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

1075*752
True Color
100 Kb




Summary of works by Benvenuto Cellini
Perseus | other bronze statues
salt cellar | medals and coins
sculptures in marble
decorated armour | graphics