a little basket...

...masquerading as something else

in this case - it's really a 'master salt' - made of wonderful porcelain - originating in germany from around 1905 - maybe a bit later

they were used in houses of prominence - filled with salt crystals and a tiny spoon - then passed around the dinner table - salt 'back in the day' was a treasured commodity - typically only those of wealth were able - to afford having it to flavor their food - at mealtimes - having a fancy 'master salt' such as this one - would sit at the head of the table - adding fabulous decoration after it had been passed - no doubt as well creating that certain - amount of fluff and assuring it made...

a

happy day.....