An Elizabeth I Silver-gilt Standing Salt, circa 1575

the cylindrical body embossed with the figures of an early king and queen, surrounded by strapwork and fruit pendants on matted ground, borders of chased leaves, the low domed cover chased with a band of lion masks on cartouches linked by fruit and with heraldic finial in the form of seated chained monkey holding a shield, pricked with the initials H.N., the rims stamped with a repeating pattern of circles and pales, apparently unmarked

repairs to foot and below finial, initials probably 17th century, gilding warn, but early and perhaps original, the chain of the monkey has lost all but two links
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

According to Fairbaim's Book of Crests, a crest of a chained monkey could represent the families Berners, Fitzgerald, Fitzsimmon, Gerard, Harris, Hays, Middleton, St. John, Scott and Zymon.  In the present example the monkey has a chained collar around the neck, while in Fairbairn's depiction, the monkey wears the collar around its body. The pricked initials H.N. appear to be over an earlier coat-of-arms showing a crescent on a chief .

A number of related small salts are shown by Charles Jackson in An Illustrated History of English Plate, such as one of 1575 from the Swaything collection (fig. 762, p. 550) and another of 1563 in the Victoria & Albert Museum (fig. 757, p. 547).