
Salt of State
Following the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, many of
Cromwell's former supporters were very keen to ingratiate themselves
with the new regime. Hence the stunning Salt of State, or Exeter Salt as it
is known, was presented to Charles II. It is a magnificent example of what
known at the time as a “standing salt” and it would have sat
prominently on the table to the right of the host--in this case the monarch.
It is on display at the Jewel House, which is a vault housing the British
Crown Jewels in the Waterloo Block (formerly a barracks) at the Tower of
London; it was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994 and refurbished in 2012.
Cromwell's former supporters were very keen to ingratiate themselves
with the new regime. Hence the stunning Salt of State, or Exeter Salt as it
is known, was presented to Charles II. It is a magnificent example of what
known at the time as a “standing salt” and it would have sat
prominently on the table to the right of the host--in this case the monarch.
It is on display at the Jewel House, which is a vault housing the British
Crown Jewels in the Waterloo Block (formerly a barracks) at the Tower of
London; it was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994 and refurbished in 2012.