{"product_id":"silver-open-salt-deakin-francis-birmingham-1938-2","title":"Deakin \u0026 Francis | Sterling Silver Open Salt | Birmingham | 1938","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeakin \u0026amp; Francis | Sterling Silver Open Salt | Birmingham | 1938\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAt a well-laid table, even the salt had its counterpart: a small piece of silver placed within reach.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a business history tracing back to 1786, Deakin \u0026amp; Francis became an established name in Birmingham silver. In the interwar years the firm made a steady line of table silver, including cruet pieces like this one. This salt is the twin of a second Deakin \u0026amp; Francis salt in stock, and the two are believed to have formed a cruet set with a matching mustard pot, also available.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe salt has a plain drum body with a flared rim, a reeded band at the lower body and a spreading reeded foot. A turned wooden liner sits within the silver body, separating its contents from the metal. The underside is fully hallmarked for Deakin \u0026amp; Francis, Birmingham.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGood condition. The foot rim is bent out of shape along one side, and the interior base shows salt staining with slight pitting. The wooden liner is as acquired; whether it is original is not known.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaker: Deakin \u0026amp; Francis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHallmarks: Birmingham, date letter O; attributed to 1938–39\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForm: open salt with flared rim, reeded band and spreading foot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: sterling silver, with turned wooden liner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: diameter 5.5 cm; height 3.6 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: silver 35 g; liner 14 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: good; foot rim bent along one side; salt staining with slight pitting inside\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompanion pieces: a matching Deakin \u0026amp; Francis open salt and mustard pot, believed to have formed part of the same cruet set, are available separately\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuyer profile: collectors of English condiment silver, or anyone reassembling a 1930s cruet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollector Appeal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis salt matches its companion in form, maker’s marks and wooden liner, and shares the restrained reeded profile of the mustard pot. The opportunity to bring together three pieces believed to belong together gives the group an appeal beyond that of a single open salt. Each remains available separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe things we set out without a second thought are often the ones a household keeps the longest.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Dancing Faun Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40572533768392,"sku":"","price":1995.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/3497\/2104\/files\/2021-07-15_11.48.49.png?v=1775917367","url":"https:\/\/dancingfaun.co.za\/products\/silver-open-salt-deakin-francis-birmingham-1938-2","provider":"The Dancing Faun Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}