salière en vermeil par Neresheimer, Hanau, XXe siècle

d'après le modèle exécuté par Benvenuto Cellini pour François Ier en 1543, maintenant au Kunsthistorisches Museum de Vienne

after the Gold and enamel`Saliera' made for Francis I by Benvenuto Cellini in 1543, now in the Kunstihorisches Museum, Vienna

Les figures de Cérès et Neptune représentent la Terre et la Mer, et de leur union émane le sel. Cette "Saliera", réalisée pour le roi de France, est une véritable icône des Arts décoratifs, parfois appelée la "Mona Lisa de la sculpture". Volée en 2003 au musée de Vienne, elle fut retrouvée trois ans après dans un état exceptionnellement bon. Le voleur utilisa le trident de Neptune comme preuve pour son chantage, mais il fut arrêté peu après, filmé lorsqu'il acheta le téléphone portable qui lui servit pour appeler la police.  

The figures of Ceres and Neptune represent the Earth and Sea, from whose union salt is stored and produced. The iconic `saliera' sometimes known as the `Mona Lisa of sculpture' was made for the king of France. It was stolen from the museum in 2003, and found 3 years later remarkably undamaged.  The trident in Neptunes hand was used by the thief as evidence that he possessed the salt in an unsuccesful attempt to obtain money from the insurers. He eventually gave himself up after pictures of him were published showing his purchase of the mobile phone which he used to call the police.

The figures of Ceres and Neptune represent the Earth and Sea, from whose union salt is stored and produced. The origianl iconic `saliera' after which this piece is modelled, sometimes known as the `Mona Lisa of sculpture' was made for the king of France in the 16th century.  It was stolen from the museum in 2003, and found 3 years later remarkably undamaged.  The trident in Neptunes hand was used by the thief as evidence that he possessed the salt in an unsuccesful attempt to obtain money from the insurers. He eventually gave himself up after pictures of him were published showing his purchase of the mobile phone which he used to call the police