Salt Cellar c. 1530

This is a salt cellar, a small vessel used to hold salt, made by Italian Renaissance artist Francesco Xanto Avelli, who was active from 1525 until his death in 1542. Made in the early 16th century, the piece features decorative designs of winged griffins, floral motifs, and crescent moons. The salt cellar’s vibrant cobalt blue and yellow glaze is typical of Maiolica, a type of tin-glazed earthenware that originated in the Italian city of Faenza. The salt cellar is currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago.