Three feet support a tray on which a centrepiece vase is surmounted. There is a bouquet of flowers rising from it, and the central flower at the top detaches as a salt holder. The other flowers are mounted with pearls and precious stones, and the centerpiece vase in which they have been placed is decorated with floral and foliate scroll work. The vase is set on a tray which has open work borders, crowned feline masks, half-rocaille motifs and floral scrolls featuring the hibiscus flower.
Salt was a highly prized and precious commodity, thus only owned by the wealthiest families around the world. This led to an unusual form of art in which highly elaborate items would be crafted to store only a small amount of salt- as can be seen with this example.