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A friend gave me a damaged silver tray that has half of the handle missing and a serious deformity in the middle.

In an effort to identify it I've learned quite a bit about the history of Peru and Bolivia but have been unable to identify the maker, assuming the small medallion on the underside indicates the maker.

There are no marks to indicate silver content, if any.

Here's an image of the medallion:



And a close-up image:



Next are two images of the overall piece showing the damage it has suffered:





Thanks for any help you can provide.

Welcome to the forum.

Hopefully, someone will have an idea of who the maker of your tray is, but I can tell you that the medallion is the Massachusetts State Seal.

Of course! That's why the medallion seemed familiar.

Now I must readjust my thinking from South America to North!

Thank you for helping me take the first step.

Thank you for the welcome in addition to your information.

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

The mark is that of R. Gleason & Sons of Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Are you sure the item is silver?

Trev.

dognose wrote:Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

The mark is that of R. Gleason & Sons of Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Are you sure the item is silver?

Trev.

Dognose: Many thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Seems I've been wrong on all counts thus far... starting out in South America and ending up in Massachusetts!

I had thought the item was silver or silver plate but, having read about R. Gleason & Sons, I now think it's plated or Britannia. The broken handle seems to be plated pot metal.

There's a certain crudeness to the construction that lead me to wonder if it was handmade or just a piece for someone to learn on. The maker's "medallion" is relatively crudely applied and there's a blob (solder?) on the underside.

In any event, the mystery is solved thanks to you and the Forum.

Thanks also for your archives which allowed me to identify this lovely piece by Truman Bailey.



With appreciation to all!