A rare London delftware salt, c.1630-40, Southwark, Montague Close or Pickleherring, of rectangular

A rare London delftware salt, c.1630-40, Southwark, Montague Close or Pickleherring, of rectangular form, the long sides moulded in high relief with winged masks picked out in yellow, ochre and blue, the short sides painted in blue and ochre with the arms of the City of London, the recessed top with a stylised flower spray within a formal scroll border, raised on four moulded feet with green and blue detailing, some chipping, a small repair to one foot, 13cm across.

Provenance: the Harriet Carlton-Goldweitz Collection. Sold Sotheby's, New York, 20th January 2006, lot 6. Formerly sold at Christie's, London, 14th October 1985, lot 8.

Cf. Victoria and Albert Museum, Accession No.C.12-1958 for a similar example, illustrated in Michael Archer, Delftware, p.325, where he discusses the shape as likely deriving from Italian maiolica.