Four Little Glass Objects, One Big Mystery
February 17, 2026
Source: Reddit
I’ve seen some pretty odd things come out of older cars. However, these teeny-tiny “spoon” looking objects have to be my favorite by far. The first time I saw them was in an old van. The way they just sort of appeared really made me curious. I kept wondering how something that looks like a small tool ended up in a vehicle. It wasn’t until I held them in my hand that I realized they weren’t even related to automotive parts. In fact, these were part of a Salt Cellar Spoon Set. This is the type of spoon set people used when salt sat in an open dish on the dinner table.
What is a Salt Cellar Spoon Set?
A salt cellar spoon set is a collection of very small spoons designed to sit inside (or next to) salt cellars. A salt cellar is simply a small, open dish filled with loose salt. When using a salt cellar, instead of pouring salt from a salt shaker onto your food, you would use the small spoon to take a small amount of salt. Then you would place it on your plate and add seasoning as desired.
Why They’re So Small?
Since salt cellar spoons only had to pick up a small amount of salt, they were constructed to be both short and shallow. Many of the salt cellar spoons were also shaped like paddles or little shovels — exactly like the two I received. Pressed-glass salt cellars were extremely popular many decades ago. In many cases, the glass spoons will match the glass salt cellars in the set.
Why Salt Cellars Fell out of Favor
As the way we dine became more casual and less formalized, salt shakers became much simpler to use and less messy than salt cellars and the spoons that came with them. Along with this shift toward a more casual dining experience, salt cellars and their accompanying spoons quietly went away.
How to Confirm Yours
The photos you sent, particularly the quarter for scale photo, look consistent with what I would expect from a salt cellar spoon set:
- small length (usually a few inches)
- shallow scoop/paddle end for grains
- glass construction, often paired with glass cellars
If you find tiny glass bowls or footed dishes in the same stash, those could be the matching salt cellars.
How to Clean and Care for Your Salt Cellar Spoons
They should be cleaned gently with warm soap and water and dried with a soft cloth. Try to avoid exposing your spoons to sudden extreme temperature changes. If your spoons appear cloudy, try soaking them in a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar for a short period of time to see if this helps clear them up.
Additionally, as these types of items tend to spark conversation when displayed on a table, consider placing the spoons in a small bowl with some flaky salt. This way you’ll immediately appear as someone who is serious about hosting dinner parties.