"Torretta" is the term used for 18th century silver made in Genoa (Italy). The quality of their workmanship and their rarity make "torretta" pieces sought after and costly items for serious collectors. These Genoese salt cellars aren't "torretta" silver as they were made in the 19th century and bear the "cross of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus" and the "dolphin" marks used in Genoa by the Kingdom of Sardinia from 1824 to 1872. Anyway they are an excellent example of early 19th century Italian cut-glass salt cellars. The embossed and chiselled square base stands on four floral 'paws' feet while the short gadrooned stem supports the cut-crystal bowl. Unfortunately the maker's mark "B.N. into a rectangle" belongs to an unidentified silversmith. The salt cellars are 4 in (cm. 10) high and the bowl's diameter is 2 3/4 inches (cm. 7) wide. A similar pair of salts is illustrated by Gianna Roccatagliata in her reference book Argenti Genovesi.

GENOA SILVER MARKS

The " Guild of Silversmiths" (Corporazione dei Fraveghi) was active in Genoa since 1248 but the most ancient silver bearing the "torretta" mark is the mid 15th century pyx of Meglio's (Genoa) Parish.
"Torretta" is the definition adopted, possibly in the 19th century, by antique dealers and collector to identify the ancient mark of Genoese silver
The shape of the "torretta" mark had relevant modification during the many centuries of its use and represents, in stylized form, the town of Genoa protected by its "castrum" (castle: better identifiable in ancient Genoese gold coins, the "doppia").
After French invasion of Genoa, French silver marks were introduced in 1805, replaced, after Napoleon's fall, by Kingdom of Sardinia marks in 1815.
Anyway, "Torretta" continued to be used by Genoa Assay Office during the French domination and also after the annexing to the Kingdom of Sardinia until 1824.
After 1824 the "Eagle" (950/1000 fineness mark of Kingdom of Sardinia) or the "Cross of St. Maurice and Lazarus" (800/1000 fineness mark) and the "dolphin" (mark of Genoa Assay Office) continued to be used until the adoption of Kingdom of Italy marks in 1872.

Torretta mark 1722	Torretta mark 1726	Torretta mark 1732	Torretta mark 1766

Genoa French Département mark 1805/1808	Kingdom of Sardinia 950/1000 silver mark 1824/1872	Kingdom of Sardinia 800/1000 silver mark 1824/1872	Kingdom of Sardinia Genoa Assay Office silver mark 1824/1872