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How to Sell Open Salt Dips

Open salt dips, also called salt cellars by collectors, are small crystal or silver "bowls" to hold about a teaspoon of salt. They were placed on the table for individual use, and larger master salt cellars were on the table for general use. Salt cellars were popular until the Depression, when the salt shaker became standard on the American table. The salt dip no longer had a purpose, as manufacturers treated salt with moisture-absorbing agents, William Heacock reports in "5,000 Open Salts: A Collector's Guide."

Some ornate open salt dips depicting animals and children are especially collectible. With antique art glass and cut glass beauties, open salts keep collectors interested.

Instructions

- 1
  Identify open salts before attempting to sell. Some are valuable and some are not, but without identification, descriptions and selling are much more difficult. Contact individuals or clubs for help with identification and sale of open salt dips. Many open salt collectors specialize in a specific type of salt cellars, and clubs are a way to locate these individuals. The Early American Pattern Glass Club can assist with identification and sale of pattern glass open salts, and the American Cut Glass Association can help with cut glass. These clubs are good contacts for selling glass salt dips.
- 2
  Group your salt cellars by type or style. Look for early American pattern glass or Depression Glass; cut glass or art glass. Identify metal open salts by silver plate or sterling; brass or unknown metals. Some salt cellars are metal with a glass insert, or metal figurines. Divide open salts into groups in preparation for sale.
- 3
  Sell large collections or very valuable open salts at auction. A Dallas auction house sold some sterling silver salt dips for just under $1,000 each, the Kovels reported in their newsletter in 2008. Selling valuable collectibles and antiques at a large auction house will bring a higher price. Large auction houses usually are selective, and will only want a large collection or the most valuable salt cellars for consignment.
- 4
  List less valuable salt dips individually on the internet at auction or fixed price. Be sure you know what you are selling and can describe each one as well as take close-up photographs of any damage. If you are not comfortable with your skills, contact someone who can help with the listing, photography, packing and shipping. Sell salt cellars of lesser value or with damage in a group on the internet. There are collectors who are looking for special pieces to complete a set or a collection. Some collectors are interested in purchasing groups of salt dips for resale or for trade.

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