An Elizabethan silver spice container,

of pear-shaped form in three parts, the bulbous lower section
sitting on a collet foot and engraved with tongue panels
and stiff leafage between, rising to a central screw-off section
decorated with a band of hatched leaf design in zig-zag pattern
below oval strapwork panels, the domed upper section
with engraving to match the bottom,
terminating in a screw-off leaf bud finial.

This form derives from the Elizabethan 'bell salt',
and contains two separate compartments for holding
salt and spices.

Unmarked,
Circa 1590

Height 8.9 cm