Tilda Publishing
Lesson 5. Saliera. Salt Cellar.
Before we read the text, have you visited Vienna before? What museums did you visit? Which one if your favorite?
Please read the text about this famous art piece (focus on words in bold):
The Story of the Saliera
The Saliera, also known as the "Salt Cellar," is a masterpiece of Renaissance art. It was created by the Italian artist Benvenuto Cellini in 1543 for King Francis I of France. This small sculpture, made of gold and enamel, was designed to hold salt and pepper during royal feasts. The Saliera is not just a container—it has been considered a symbol of luxury and power.
In the sculpture, two figures represent the Earth and the Sea. Earth, a man, holds a small temple for pepper, while Sea, a woman, leans on a ship that holds salt. Every detail of the piece was carefully crafted, and it is said that Cellini’s skill has amazed everyone who has seen it.
In 2003, the Saliera was stolen from Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum in a daring and bizarre heist. The thief, who was drunk at the time, suddenly decided to steal a masterpiece when he saw scaffolding outside the museum. He used it as a ladder to break in. Although the alarms have been set off, they were ignored as false, and the theft went unnoticed until much later. The robber attempted to bargain for the sculpture twice but got cold feet both times. Eventually, modern technologies led to his capture. The police traced him through a shop where he had purchased his phone, and his photos were published in newspapers. Feeling the pressure, the thief gave himself up, and the Saliera was found buried in a forest.
Some legends say that if salt spills from the Saliera, it will bring bad luck to the owner. Others believe the sculpture itself is cursed because of its dramatic history. Whether you believe this or not, the Saliera has remained one of the most valuable treasures of art history.
Please read the text about this famous art piece (focus on words in bold):
The Story of the Saliera
The Saliera, also known as the "Salt Cellar," is a masterpiece of Renaissance art. It was created by the Italian artist Benvenuto Cellini in 1543 for King Francis I of France. This small sculpture, made of gold and enamel, was designed to hold salt and pepper during royal feasts. The Saliera is not just a container—it has been considered a symbol of luxury and power.
In the sculpture, two figures represent the Earth and the Sea. Earth, a man, holds a small temple for pepper, while Sea, a woman, leans on a ship that holds salt. Every detail of the piece was carefully crafted, and it is said that Cellini’s skill has amazed everyone who has seen it.
In 2003, the Saliera was stolen from Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum in a daring and bizarre heist. The thief, who was drunk at the time, suddenly decided to steal a masterpiece when he saw scaffolding outside the museum. He used it as a ladder to break in. Although the alarms have been set off, they were ignored as false, and the theft went unnoticed until much later. The robber attempted to bargain for the sculpture twice but got cold feet both times. Eventually, modern technologies led to his capture. The police traced him through a shop where he had purchased his phone, and his photos were published in newspapers. Feeling the pressure, the thief gave himself up, and the Saliera was found buried in a forest.
Some legends say that if salt spills from the Saliera, it will bring bad luck to the owner. Others believe the sculpture itself is cursed because of its dramatic history. Whether you believe this or not, the Saliera has remained one of the most valuable treasures of art history.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary for Saliera
enamel - an opaque or semi-transparent glossy substance that is a type of glass, applied for ornament or as a protective coating.
эмаль
to craft - an activity involving skill in making things by hand.
создавать
skill - the ability to do something well.
навык, мастерство, умение
daring - (of a person or action) adventurous or audaciously bold.
смелый, дерзкий, отважный
bizarre - very strange or unusual.
странный, причудливый
heist - a robbery. (the action of taking property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat of force.)
ограбление
(to get) cold feet - loss of nerve or confidence.
трусость
Try to answer correctly!
| Take the quiz |
The Saliera is made of gold and ______, making it a true Renaissance masterpiece.
| Next |
| Check |
Benvenuto Cellini, the artist of the Saliera, amazed everyone with his ______ as a sculptor.
| Next |
| Check |
The theft of the Saliera in 2003 was described as a ______ and unusual crime.
| Next |
| Check |
During the heist, the thief climbed a scaffolding and set off alarms in what many called a ______ robbery.
| Next |
| Check |
After attempting to bargain for the sculpture, the thief decided not to follow through because he ______.
| Next |
| Check |
The masterpiece was ______ by Cellini in 1543 for King Francis I of France.
| Next |
| Check |
The theft of the Saliera is one of the most famous art ______ in history.
| Next |
| Check |
Great work! Well done!
| Restart |
We use Present Perfect to talk about:
-for something that started in the past and continues in the present
They have been married for 10 years.
-when we are talking about our experience up to the present
I've played piano since I was 5.
-when we are talking about something that happened in the past, but has results in the present
I've lost my keys (I can't find them now)
-for something that started in the past and continues in the present
They have been married for 10 years.
-when we are talking about our experience up to the present
I've played piano since I was 5.
-when we are talking about something that happened in the past, but has results in the present
I've lost my keys (I can't find them now)
The present perfect is formed from the present tense of the verb have and the past participle of a verb.
TO HAVE + VERB (3 form)
I have been (the verb to be) in Tokyo.
She has gone (to go) to the store.
TO HAVE + VERB (3 form)
I have been (the verb to be) in Tokyo.
She has gone (to go) to the store.
ATTENTION!
We use Present Perfect with ever, never, since, for, yet
BUT! If we use finished past time - yesterday, at 10 o'clock, in 2024, we use Past Simple instead!
Grammar: Present Perfect
Past Simple vs Present Perfect
| Take the quiz |
The Saliera ______ (consider) a symbol of luxury and power for centuries.
| Next |
| Check |
In 2003, the Saliera ______ (steal) from Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum.
| Next |
| Check |
The thief ______ (use) scaffolding to climb into the museum and ______ (set) off alarms, which were ignored.
| Next |
| Check |
Cellini’s skill ______ (amaze) everyone who ______ (see) the sculpture since it's creation.
| Next |
| Check |
Great work! Well done!
| Restart |
Tilda Publishing
Saliera theft and art
Vocabulary
Vocabulary for the video
graceful - having or showing grace or elegance.
изящный, грациозный
worth - equivalent in value to the sum or item specified.
ценность
to chase - pursue in order to catch or catch up with.
преследовать, гнаться
a vast number - very great in number, quantity, amount, etc.
огромное количество
portability - the ability to be easily carried or moved.
портативность
to minimize - reduce (something, especially something undesirable) to the smallest possible amount or degree.
минимизировать
disturbance - the interruption of a settled and peaceful condition.
нарушение, волнение
fragile - (of an object) easily broken or damaged.
хрупкий
Fill in the gaps for the video
| Take the quiz |
The Saliera is famous for its ______ design, combining gold, enamel, and delicate details.
| Next |
| Check |
This masterpiece is incredibly valuable and is ______ millions of dollars.
| Next |
| Check |
The thief climbed scaffolding to steal the Saliera, and police had to ______ him for three years before it was found.
| Next |
| Check |
The sculpture has attracted ______ of visitors to Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum over the years.
| Next |
| Check |
Due to its small size and ______, the Saliera was easy for the thief to carry away.
| Next |
| Check |
Security systems at the museum were designed to ______ any risks to the art collection.
| Next |
| Check |
The thief broke in at night to avoid causing a big ______.
| Next |
| Check |
Made from gold and enamel, the Saliera is extremely ______ and must be handled with care.
| Next |
| Check |
Great work! Well done!
| Restart |
Tilda Publishing
Questions to discuss with your teacher:
- What do you think of the heist?
- Do you know other similar stories, maybe some famous art theft?
- Would you like a copy of the Saliera for your house? Why? Why not?