340: THREE NORWEGIAN SILVER AND PLIQUE A JOUR SALT CELLARS

The circular, open Norwegian silver salt cellars with horse head surmounts are built by hand in elaborate openwork floral motifs and decorative bands sculpted from silver stock then filled with jewel-tone glass enamels in the technique plique a jour - French for 'letting in daylight.' The circular solid silver interiors of two are decorated in red guilloche enamel while the third is blue, the underside of each is stamped with the maker's initials MH on the underside along with the hallmark for Marius Hammer and the Norwegian silver standard stamp of 930s, higher silver content than sterling.
Each measures 2.25 x 3.25 x 2 inches.
Very good condition. There are no chips, cracks, repairs, losses or areas of heavy wear.
Provenance: The collection of Josephine Bird Hall (1888 - 1948) by descent to her son, the present owner. Josephine's father was a founder of Kansas City's Emery, Bird, Thayer Department Store.
$1,500 - $2,000