Salt Dish

Famen Si

It is a little-known fact that a pinch of salt was typically added to Chinese tea during its preparation (article). The salt was presented on this elegant, lotiform, silver dish. Its elaborate, bell-shaped cover is decorated with a design of ocean waves and sea-creatures, and topped by a lotus-bud knob. Beneath the dish, and hidden by the angle of this photograph, are two-dimensional "cutouts" of sea-creatures like the ones on the cover.

These are objects from an imperial tea-service. Their inclusion in the Famen Si crypt is early evidence for the importance of tea in China.