Salt and Pepper Shakers
03.28.06 By Lorraine Newberry
From sleek and sophisticated to silly, salt and pepper shakers take all sorts of forms. They look great on display, can be conversation pieces when used for parties and family gatherings, and there are plenty of low-priced shakers for the budget conscious, all of which makes them attractive to collectors.
Salt and pepper shakers came into use during the 19th century and before long the shakers were being created in fun and whimsical shapes. While in some sets the salt shaker and pepper shaker are identical, in other sets they are different forms that complement one another. A set made up of a bowling pin salt shaker and bowling ball pepper shaker is one example.
Salt and pepper shakers are in abundant supply and there’s a number of places to search for new additions to your collection. Salt and pepper shakers in great shape often show up at garage sales, yard sales and thrift stores as well as antique shops and malls. Online auctions are always a good option, provided you examine pictures closely and ask about any flaws before buying.
Because salt and pepper shakers are fairly easy to find and are often inexpensive, some people have amassed collections numbering in the hundreds! Their small size makes it easy to display a large group of shakers in a small space. On the other hand, some find it makes the “hunt” more fun when they focus the collection, perhaps sticking to a particular type like glass or silver shakers, or shakers made by a particular manufacturer. Still others build collections around certain forms, such as Santa and Mrs. Claus shakers.
There is a lively community of salt and pepper shaker collectors out there. There are several collectors’ guides that focus on this hobby, as well as associations where collectors can share information, swap shakers, and host conferences about salt and pepper shakers. The Novelty Salt and Pepper Shakers Collectors Club and the Antique and Art Glass Salt Shaker Collector’s Society are two of these associations.
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Article Tags: pepper, salt, shaker================
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