Travel set with a salt cellar

Such sets gained in popularity in the 18th c., and Augsburg was world- renown for them, being a home to numerous master craftsmen well adept in goldsmithing. Travel sets used at that time were mostly caskets or chests facilitating easy transport of assorted items deemed essential during the journey. These also comprised a salt cellar, adjacent to the double beakers, plate, porringer, cutlery, candlestick, and the wick scissors, which had to be specifically positioned inside to allow the chest to be closed. All silverware is crafted with loving elegance, clearly indicative of the artisan’s prowess; the top of a porringer cover shaped as a snake is particularly worth noting. Such dishes with side handles, the so-called “écuelle”, were used for sipping soups directly from them, especially a broth