ANTIQUE SILVER BREAKFAST DISHES
Antique Silver breakfast dishes Description:
A type of dish used for serving hot food at breakfast, and usually placed on the sideboard.
Antique Silver breakfast dishes History:
The earliest known examples date from the latter part of the 18th century but they are rare in silver before 1790. The vast majority were made in the 19th century in silverplate and they are still being made today.
Antique Silver breakfast dishes Design:
Most have an oval body sitting on four feet. Some have in-built spirit burner lamps underneath to keep the food warm, whereas later ones have a revolving cover and a hot-water compartment in the base. Decoration varied from very plain early styles, through heavily engraved Victorian examples.
Antique Silver breakfast dishes Collectors Note:
The level of craftsmanship and their aesthetic qualities determine their value. But they must also be undamaged with good clear hallmarks (for silver examples) and crisp detail. It is very important to check that all the pieces are still intact and original. They were used extensively in the larger houses and many examples are in bad condition with missing liners and/or burners.