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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: debodun on March 15, 2012, 09:57:47 AM

Title: What was this tray's purpose?
Post by: debodun on March 15, 2012, 09:57:47 AM

At first I thought it might be for serving oysters. It has 10 circular depressions around the rim. It is 9" in diameter and marked SIMPSON, H.M. & CO. I looked up SIMPSON and found it was a silver company in Connecticut that became International Silver in 1898.

Title: Re: What was this tray's purpose?
Post by: KC on March 15, 2012, 12:25:14 PM

They made so many different types of decorative pieces there are several you might want to look into.  At this time period the most common type that this could fall into the category is:
Brides Basket, Mint basket.  They did sell items (forks/picks) for escargot during this time...however, I have never seen a silverplated escargot tray by them.

My first impression is the Brides Basket.

Title: Re: What was this tray's purpose?
Post by: mart on March 15, 2012, 04:43:57 PM

If it is a serving tray for oysters it would not be for raw oysters,, no place for ice !! Oysters Rockefeller,, maybe !!