Trencher Salt 1690 - 1710

This Trencher Salt was crafted in the late 17th to early 18th century by Bartholomew Le Roux, a master silversmith. Notice the engraved coat-of-arms, prominently displayed: a tree flanked by animals, possibly lions, all symbols deeply rooted in heraldry. These heraldic symbols—the tree representing life and lineage, the lions courage and nobility—echo motifs found across cultures and centuries. Think of the Tree of Life, a universal symbol present in ancient mythologies, or the lion, a regal emblem adorning countless royal crests. Such symbols speak to our collective unconscious, transcending time and place. Consider how such motifs have been reshaped and reinterpreted across generations. Their emotional power endures, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The coat-of-arms here is not merely a design; it's a vessel of cultural memory, continually evolving yet forever tethered to its origins.