Silver Dish with George III Crown Inset

Neil Hamilton · Postby **Neil Hamilton** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:18 pm

Hi, can members help identify what this bowl/dish was used for. Its approx 4" across and has an 1820 crown set into a raised area in the cntre. Both sides of the coin are visible. Has Birmingham hallmark for 1917 made by Henry Williams. Also has heraldic symbols - Lion with cross and arm holding sword engraved in bowl. Any ideas please..Thanks

Postby **dognose** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:38 am

Hi Neil,
Ashtray or small change dish?
Regards Trev.

larkfield · Postby **larkfield** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:44 am

Is the maker Henry Williams or as I have Henry Williamson Ltd recorded for this mark?

Postby **admin** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:24 am

Henry Williamson Ltd.

http://www.925-1000.com/dlBirmingham.html

Neil Hamilton · Postby **Neil Hamilton** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:53 am

Yes you're right - should have been Henry Williamson. Any ideas as to its purpose - if any. Should I clean it. Still trying to find out what the Heraldic symbols mean. Thanks..Neil

Postby **Granmaa** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:21 pm

As Trev says, perhaps an ashtray or coin dish, but it's just a dish and you can put what you want in it.

The "heraldic symbols" don't necessarily mean anything; they're the crests from coats of arms. It's unusual for there to be two; probably from a marriage between people from two important families.

Miles

kerangoumar · Postby **kerangoumar** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:09 pm

Interesting.

Should you clean it? Well they do say that silver's appearance is a matter of personal taste whereas virtually any other antique must have all its original dirt or there goes half its value.

If you want it to look bright and silvery, by all means clean it. In Silver Care / Techniques I have posted a method for cleaning silver that doesn't scratch up the surface and the rinse water of which you can then use as an insecticide in your garden. As long as there's no grit in the ash your silver will polish superbly.

But do not forget to use a mild soap. I have a precious cake of cocoa butter soap (which they don't seem to make any longer) which I always use. Lather up my hands and then bathe the baby, as it were. That particular soap leaves a very fine film that inhibits oxidation but I can't say whether any other real soap (vs detergent based and with 'moisturizer') will do the same.

www.925-1000.com