Genoa, 1760–1780, A Pair Of Solid-metal Louis XV Salt Shakers

GENOA, SECOND HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY – PAIR OF SOLID SILVER SALT SHAKERS

Solid silver, repoussé and chased
Genoese hallmark of the Torretta; date mark now illegible
Height: 3.5 cm – Width: 7 cm – Length: 8.5 cm
Weight: 61 g each – 122 g for the pair

An elegant pair of solid silver salt cellars crafted in Genoa during the second half of the 18th century.

Entirely executed in repoussé and chased silver, they feature an oval body encircled by a bold moldings. The undulating body is adorned with foliage motifs and stylized shells and extends toward a widely flared base, composed of powerful rocaille volutes forming the coiled feet. This highly sculptural design is characteristic of 18th-century Genoese silverwork.

This salt shaker design appears to have been particularly popular in Genoa. Franco Boggero and Farida Simonetti, in their reference work *L’Argenteria genovese del Settecento*, reproduce several examples and variations dated notably 1767, 1768, around 1770, 1772, 1774, 1780, and 1788. The persistence of this form over several decades attests to its importance in Genoese production during the second half of the 18th century.

Both salt shakers bear traces of the Genoese Torretta hallmark on the inside of their bowls. On one of them, the Torretta remains legible enough to allow for its identification. The three digits of the datario, which indicated the year of inspection, have unfortunately become illegible. This significant wear is due in part to their location inside the bowls and to the corrosive effect of salt on silver.

The Torretta, a stylized representation of the fortified city, is the emblematic hallmark of Genoa’s historic silversmithing tradition. In the 18th century, it was accompanied by a datario consisting of the last three digits of the year. Since these digits are now illegible, it is impossible to specify a precise year; however, the typology of the salt cellars and the numerous comparable examples allow us to confidently date them to the second half of the 18th century.

Traces of an old silver test mark intended for metal testing are also visible at the bottom of both bowls, providing tangible evidence of the inspection to which the pieces were subjected.

The preservation of the pair, its construction entirely of repoussé and chased silver, the presence of the Torretta hallmark, and the old assay marks make it an interesting example of table silverware from the Republic of Genoa in the 18th century.

Comparative Bibliography:
Franco Boggero and Farida Simonetti, *L’Argenteria genovese del Settecento*, Umberto Allemandi & C., Turin, 2007.