A pair of saltcellars bears exquisite miniatures of Marie de' Medici and Henri IV of France along with classically derived decorations that glorify their rule. The foot of each vessel shows a chariot with a different divinity. Festivities and ceremonies featuring chariots bearing divinities allude to the monarchs' power.

The foot of the saltcellar bearing Marie's image is decorated with a chariot driven by Diana, a goddess associated with both chastity and childbirth--likely used in this case to honor Marie's role in producing royal offspring and heirs to the throne.

Henri's chariot is drawn by Venus, goddess of love. This may be simply an assertion of the importance of love in the royal marriage or a possible reference to the double standard--that it was acceptable, even expected of men, to have numerous lovers.