The "saliera" (saltcellar in Italian). Now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
Arthur Tompkins discusses the 2003 theft of the Cellini Salt Cellar, described by Kim Hill as the wedding present from hell and an early example of an abdominal exercise for two people.
The part-enamelled gold table sculpture was completed in 1543 for Francis I of France by the colourful 16th century Tuscan goldsmith, sculptor and painter, Benvenuto Cellini.
Arthur Tompkins is a district court judge, and member of Interpol's DNA Monitoring Expert Group. He has a special interest in crimes involving artistic masterpieces.
Detail of the "saliera" .
