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Can anyone identify this piece?

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Author	Topic: Can anyone identify this piece?
luck99 Posts: 5 Registered: Nov 2006	posted 11-08-2006 09:13 PM [26-1251] Hi! I just joined the site hoping someone could help me identify this piece. I'm not a silver collector but I fell in love with this piece and had to have it. I suppose it is some sort of food serving dish. It measures about 20" tall and 20" in diameter. It appears to be copper and silverplate. I think the copper areas had some sort of gold or brass plating on them originally. The silverplate areas are very intricate. I don't think the pictures will do them justice. Around the base there are dead lions. The side panel has a steeplechase or fox hunting scene and the top is repousse with oak leaves, acorns and what appears to be a federal style eagle finial. The lid has been dropped at some time and the eagle is bent. Inside is a removable insert with an attached grate/strainer. I have looked closely and found no markings. I would think whoever made something of this quality would have marked it. I'd like to know if anyone knows what this is and if there is any significance to the theme of the decoration. I would also welcome any recommendations on someone who could do a proper restoration. IP: Logged
Kimo Posts: 1627 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 11-09-2006 08:43 AM It seems to have a real mish-mash of styles to it. Are there any markings of any kind on or in it? Could you please add a few more photos including a closeup of any maker's markings (names, letters, numbers, symbols), and photos showing the inside where you say it has a grate, the top showing the eagle finial, the inside of the top showing how it is constructed, and the bottom showing the dead lions? My first thought is to doubt whether it is a food serving dish. IP: Logged
luck99 Posts: 5 Registered: Nov 2006	posted 11-09-2006 11:44 AM Thanks for the info. I will try to post more photos. There are no markings. IP: Logged
luck99 Posts: 5 Registered: Nov 2006	posted 11-09-2006 11:55 AM Sorry Kimo. Here are several more : IP: Logged
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 Registered: May 99	posted 11-09-2006 05:40 PM It could merely be a THING, meant for display in a late gilded-age library or billiard room. Its large scale, however, makes me wonder. I was thinking maybe a covered punch bowl--but the grate inside doesn't fit (hard to tell without seeing it). The grate is at the top? Then it could be simply a huge urn with a grille for flower arranging (with the lid stored away somewhere). Lid on when no flowers. The hunt scene not only suggests men, but suggests (duh) horses. But horses were everywhere...it is unlikely to be any sort of food service vessel. IP: Logged
venus Posts: 282 Registered: Jul 2005	posted 11-09-2006 06:29 PM What an interesting object, whatever it turns out to be. I like the oddities that are to be found, and the more detailed the better. Welcome to the forum and silver collecting. IP: Logged
Dale Posts: 2132 Registered: Nov 2002	posted 11-09-2006 07:40 PM My suspicion is that this is for keeping beverages cold. Like beer bottles. Cool water would go into the container and beer into the basket, which could then be picked up, with water draining off and a bottle or two extracted. Such things do exist. Have seen several made into table lamps. Neat piece. From the scenes and designs, I would guess this is from the 20's. IP: Logged
t-man-nc Posts: 327 Registered: Mar 2000	posted 11-10-2006 03:42 PM I think Dale nailed it... It looks like something I would expect to see at a Steeple Chase or other form of outdoor race... Just a Guess.... "Smaug" IP: Logged
luck99 Posts: 5 Registered: Nov 2006	posted 11-10-2006 09:19 PM Thanks everyone for your opinions. I'm still trying to get more photos posted. IP: Logged

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