Each modelled as a scaled down mazer bowl. The hemispherical burr maple bowls raised on slightly waisted amd spreading bases and with narrow ropework borders. The rims with a pierced band of trefoils beneath crenellated wires and with plain flared rims.
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Ramsden's enthusiasm for medieval silver in well known. This was fostered by visits to Oxford Colleges where he would have seen a stunning array of very early silver. Some pieces were closely copied but his most successful venture became the production, over many years, of a wide variety of Mazer bowls. These were mounted wooden drinking vessels dating from at least the 13th century although the earliest surviving examples are from the 14th century. The Bute Mazer is one of the earliest dating from about 1320. The word Mazer is derived from the German word "Masa" meaning spotted, furthermore, the word "measles" originates from the same source. The particular type of wood used was burr maple which is characterized the spotted or patchy grain. Ramsden saw the possibility of producing high quality copies in all sorts of sizes and with a wide variety of adornment. This took the form of traditional silver mounts to exotic heads and masks, enamel and very occasionally gold. The largest mazer bowl Ramsden ever produced was known the Hellespont Mazer measuring just over 16.5 inches in diameter. This masterpiece has everything including a stunning gold and enamel boss or print in the centre. By contrast these 5 salts have huge appeal largely down to the refined workmanship required to produce such a scaled down version.