Pair of salt trenchers 1714 - 1715

These are a pair of salt trenchers, likely made in the late 18th or early 19th century by Thomas Ash. At that time, control over the trade and production of salt underpinned economic and political power. These trenchers are more than mere table objects; they speak to the rituals of dining amongst the upper classes. Salt, once a precious commodity, became a symbol of status displayed in miniature vessels crafted from valuable materials. The trenchers reflect the growth of a consumer culture where dining accoutrements signaled social standing. Consider the hands that would have reached for a pinch of salt from these vessels. The enslaved people who mined it, and the elite who seasoned their meals with it. These trenchers capture the historical complexities of power, privilege, and the everyday objects that carry their stories.