ALATERA

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Another necessary vessel at the table was the alatera or saliera (salt cellar), which was used for dispensing salt. The surviving examples from countryside households are made of glass or wood and usually consist of two adjoining small-sized open containers with rotating covers. The wooden alateres on occasion were decorated with simple incised motifs, like rosettes, cross at the middle, and others. Contrary to the above, the urban households of the 20th century were equipped with similarly functioning salt cellars, albeit made of silver.

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The glass alatera (salt cellar) of the Bee and Embroidery Museum is an excellent example of the countryside type of salt cellar and it is further equipped with a central socket for the reception of a candle. Candlelight would have been essential for the evening meals, as electricity did not reach the countryside prior to the mid-20th century.