Ok....Im stumped......the "thing" is a butter dish.

[NOLA_Ken]

Ok....I'm stumped......the "thing" is a butter dish.

Found this thing in a trash pile, it's heavy, i don't have a scale to weigh it with, but It's got to be about 2 pounds at least. It's 12 inches tall, very ornate, and is missing some parts. It's marked on the bottom "Rogers Smith & Co. Quadruple Meriden Ct" and the number 4978. Those are the only marks I can find.

 

[Monty]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

Reminds me of an ashtray that might be found on a boat. As the boat sways the tray remains fixed to keep from spilling ashes. I also have seen drink holders that look similar. But this only a guess. Monty

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

It reminds me of the stand for a cruet set:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Roger-Smith-Silver-Etched-4-pc-Glass-Cruets-Set-/140588706956

 

[Dano Sverige]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

It says to me "I'm a compass missing some of my parts"!

 

[savant365]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

I couldn't find one exactly like it but it appears to be a Victorian butter dish.

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2329945

 

[Bunker]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

Reminds me of the incense burner a priest would swing at Church.
Just a wild guess.
Bunker

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

Is the base actually on a pivot or is it just bent?

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

Is the base actually on a pivot or is it just bent?

No it's not a pivot, and it's actually made at that angle, not bent.....

thanks for all the suggestions so far, I'll have to spend a bit of time researching all of them later.

 

[bradyboy]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

It sure looks like its adjustable, to change angles
maybe its seized in that position ?
Brady

 

[Felinepeachy]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

What are the little designs on the handle part? Maybe a clue in that.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

What are the little designs on the handle part? Maybe a clue in that.

the handle has little flowers of some sort and leaves. I'll try to put up some pics of it later if I can.

 

[doublet2a]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

It says to me "I'm a compass missing some of my parts"!

Tim

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......All I know is it's a thing, maybe silver?

Ok everyone, THANK YOU for your suggestions, I realized that it was actually bent and not made at an angle as I had suspected at first, I also did some searching for the pattern number, and while I haven't found the exact one I have, I did find a listing for another pattern number which turned out to be similar in design, and it turns out the be what I have here.

Hats off to savant365...... you called it!

It Is......... A "Plated and Covered Round Butter" dish. The weird things on the side were to hold the butter knives, and I'm missing the top, but At least I know what it was for. I've also learned that this company had very special marks for actual silver pieces which I don't seem to have here, so it's either plate or something called "Britannia Metal"... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britannia_metal

Here's a link to a sort of similar piece : http://www.replacements.com/webquote/RXM5083.htm

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......the "thing" is a butter dish.

While most goods (from Roger Smith and Co.) were either britannia metal (a type of pewter) or silverplate, a limited amount of sterling was made. All (their) sterling goods carried a special mark stating it was 925/1000 silver; if it does not, then it is either plate or britannia.
Source: http://www.silversmithing.com/1forum.htm

 

[Monty]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......the "thing" is a butter dish.

Dang! I guess I'll have to quit putting ashes in my butter dish! M nty

 

[mojjax]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......the "thing" is a butter dish.

I guess I have one too .

Question - what is the purpose of the lower level that is covered by the plate with the hole in it ?
was it to hold ice , to keep the butter cool ?

 

[savant365]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......the "thing" is a butter dish.

Hey don't feel bad folks...if it ain't marked .925 I'll flick ashes in it too Still a very cool piece, better then anything I've come across lately.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Re: Ok....I'm stumped......the "thing" is a butter dish.

I guess I have one too .

Question - what is the purpose of the lower level that is covered by the plate with the hole in it ?
was it to hold ice , to keep the butter cool ?

Yeah I wondered that too. I think you might have it with the ice idea though.