304 - Salt shaker, later converted into a box for holy oils.

Salt shaker, later converted into a box for holy oils. Made of pewter. The body is cubic in shape, resting on a small molded foot, featuring a hinged lid with a rounded edge and topped with a tassel. The sides are decorated with a Janus-like portrait, two depictions of the devil (?), and a crowned woman in an antique style. Some inscriptions are barely visible, while others are partially legible; they are placed around the perimeter of the box in three different superimposed registers. The lid is decorated with cherubs. Inside, three small cylinders marked “O SANTUM,” “O CRISMA,” and “O INFIRMORUM.” France, first half of the 16th century H. 11.8 cm - W. 6 cm One small cylinder is damaged. And there are ink marks inside the box reading “RE” and “CONC.” Note from Mr. Commenchal: An identical salt shaker was sold by Mr. BOSCHER in Cherbourg on August 2, 2020, and appraised by me. It was the only example found among more than forty. The text around the rim was more legible and read: “MAY GOD GRANT US MANY YEARS OF GOOD HEALTH—MY WAY IS TO /…/ HAVE WINE AND SALT AT THE TABLE—EAT SALT AND /…/ DRINK ONLY SALT /…/ THROAT.”