Silverplate Pie Server Giant Girl Motif

[hpidaves]

Hello,
I know the description of the motif of this hollow handle silverplate pie server sounds strange, but that's what is on the blade -- a giant girl carrying buckets and waving her hat. She is walking through a woods with very tiny trees compared to her, so I assume she is a giant.

There is no maker's mark that I can find (sorry), but the motif might signify Western Europe, perhaps Germany?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[hpidaves]

The more I look at this, the more it appears she might be normal size, just closer, with the trees in the distance.

[JayT]

You’re right - the small trees appear to be an attempt at perspective.
I think this is a pudding trowel. The woman is carrying a butter churn, and has a milkmaid’s wooden barrel on her back - all attributes of the ingredients that go into pudding.
Sorry can’t help on the maker or country of origin.

[hpidaves]

Thank you -- I believe you are correct! I will continue to look for markings on the piece.

Dave

[JayT]

Hello Dave
More tantalizing clues about origin of this item:
-Two stylized flowers in the foreground appear to be edelweiss;
-The woman’s pointed traditional hat with a feather.
Taken together, this points to Switzerland or Austria In my opinion.
Good luck in your research!

[hpidaves]

That makes sense -- thank you for taking the time to look that closely. I have been over this piece with a magnifying glass and even a microscope -- no mark found -- disappointing. I am the inquisitive type, so I really need to know more about this. I'll keep trying :)

Thanks again,
Dave