An Indo-Portuguese gold and gem-set mounted rock crystal covered salt, 17th Century.

The gold-mounted base and lid are of solid triangular blocks of rock crystal hollowed out, the whole raised on scrolling feet and with a double pyramidal finial; set at each angle with cabochon rubies and sapphires, the finial with a pointed sapphire, height 18cm.
It appears in the 1690 Devonshire Schedule recording an enormous bequest from Elizabeth, Countess of Devonshire to her daughter Anne, Countess of Exeter. In this, appearing under the list of ‘Christalls Garnisht and plaine’ is: ‘A Christall Salt & Cover Garnisht with Gold, Rubies and Emrods and with a pointed Saphir on the Top of the Cover’.