Spice Cellar in the Shape of a Ship
(Renaissance Europe )
This spice cellar, made to hold precious seasonings at the table, is of a typical northern European design. Major trade commodities in ancient and medieval times, salt and other spices were used both to preserve meat and to enhance the flavor of all types of food (often not very fresh). Some spices came from Asia and were very expensive. This whimsical container, in the form of a little ship on wheels, could be rolled from one guest to another.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Victor Gay, Paris; Sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, March 23, 1909, no. 258; Leopold Blumka, New York [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, May 1973, by exchange.
Exhibitions
1998-2001 | Highlights from the Collection. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
Date | Description | Narrative |
---|---|---|
9/24/1974 | Treatment | cleaned |
8/22/1975 | Treatment | cleaned |
Measurements
H: 3 3/4 x L: 5 9/16 x D: 2 11/16 in. (9.5 x 14.13 x 6.84 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, 1973
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
54.2501