www.925-1000.com

Hi - I am new here and I hope that I am following the rules properly. I have looked at every maker's mark on this site with no success... I have two of these small covered dishes. They look like covered casseroles, but they are only 4 inches x 2.5 inches (10 cm x 6.5 cm) like a ramekin with a cover. It must be from America because the mark is alone. It doesn't say that it is silver, so I am assuming it is silver plate. The copper is starting to show from excessive polishing which further indicates - to me - that it is silver plate. I don't know how to describe the mark! A martian? With a hat and banners?

Help! To whom does this mark belong? And, for what are these items used? And, what are they called? Thanks for your help. MG Chicago, Illinois

HI MG,

Welcome to the Forum.

Your mark image is upside down. The maker was E.G. Webster & Son, see: http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_W2.html they used a variety of marks. Click on the mark image to enlarge it.

Not sure what the use of the pieces were for, but I'm sure someone will know.

Trev.

Thank you! No wonder I couldn't find it. It was part of a larger mark.

So it's upside down...what is it???

The look like mini-vegetable servers. Perhaps they were for food that was served in small quantities bc of cost or weirdness or fear of it contaminating other foods. On a popular auction website, it says they are individual butter dishes. I don't think so. Now that I know the manufacturer, I can do more thorough research.

Thanks for your help!

Any other thoughts would be appreciated. MG

My guess would be butter dishes. If you do a web image search on those keywords, you should turn up some similar ones.

I think you are correct.

I was thinking it could also be for a delicacy or side dish that would be tainted if mixed with another food. Escargot or something. Who knows. I am going to go with butter. My stomach runs away from me often times! Thanks for your input. MG