Pair of table salt shakers; James Barclay and Henell London, c. 1878.

Pair of table salt cellars; JAMES BARCLAY AND HENELL, London, c. 1878.
Silver and silver gilt.
They present punches.
Measurements: 11 x 6.5 x 7 cm; 9 x 5 x 6 x 6 cm.
Weight: 880 g.
This unique pair of London salt cellars stands out for its sculptural character and for its ascription to the historicist and eclectic taste of late Victorian England. Conceived as grotesque figures of an old woman and a king, the salt cellars transcend their utilitarian function to become authentic table sculptures, following a British tradition that valued ingenuity, narrative and technical virtuosity in domestic silverware.
The figures, richly modeled, show a careful psychological and formal characterization: exaggerated features, expressive attitudes and a meticulous treatment of the costumes.
James Barclay & Henell was a prominent London firm active during the 19th century, heir to a strong tradition of craftsmanship linked to the Henell family, one of the most prestigious sagas of English goldsmiths since the late 18th century. James Barclay partnered with members of the Henell family, consolidating a workshop renowned for the quality of its execution and its ability to adapt to the changing tastes of the Victorian market, from neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance to pieces of fantasy and sculptural character such as those presented here. His works were appreciated by both the wealthy bourgeois clientele and aristocratic circles, and today enjoy solid recognition in the international market.