When it’s a salver. Salvers are footed trays without handles. Interestingly, their name comes from the Spanish salvar, which means “to save”: in earlier times, servants were expected to taste the food of their wealthy, albeit paranoid, patrons before the meal was served. While we can thankfully expect our dishes to be poison-free these days, salvers still make a delightful serving piece for your table.
This is a handsome neoclassical sterling silver salver by London silversmith Frederick. This flower-shaped salver is supported on four leafy shell bracket feet that are beautifully formed and crisply articulated. The field is engraved with a large band of abstracted shell and leaf designs executed in a bold and brilliant pattern that creates a central vacant cartouche that could be monogrammed. The salver has a stepped molded rim accented with a large beaded border. This salver is in pristine condition and is without a monogram. It measures approx. 2 1/4" high, approx. 18" in diameter, and weighs 73.5 troy ounces. It is fully hallmarked, has the maker's mark of Frederick Elkington. This antique silver salver shows the highest quality of Victorian silversmithing and is an exceptionally balanced design that is timeless yet striking.
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