Tray

1859–1860

Place madeSheffield, England, Europe

Silver plate

Overall: 23 1/4 in. × 2 1/4 in. × 31 in. (59.1 × 5.7 × 78.7 cm)

Bequest of Mrs. Louise A. Spies Sinclair

1929.79

This tray was presented to Colonel Christian Schwarzwaelder by the officers and ex-officers of the Fifth Regiment, New York, in 1860.

DescriptionCast and wrought silver plated presentation tray; flat, scalloped, ovoid tray with raised sides with scrolled pierce work; beaded band with trefoil motifs applied around the rim; two cast strap handles with scrolled joints and beaded and trefoil decoration; oval reserve in the center engraved, "Presented to/ COL. C. SCHWAZWAELDER/ BY THE/ Officers and Ex-Officers/ OF THE 5TH REGIMENT./ September 1860." in roman letters, script and gothic script; reserve surrounded by foliate scrolls and four medallions with figures performing agricultural tasks inside; makers' marks stamped on the underside.

MarkingsInscription: engraved in the center: "Presented to/ COL. C. SCHWAZWAELDER/ BY THE/ Ofiicers and Ex-Officers/ OF THE 5TH REGIMENT./ September 1860." in roman letters, script and gothic script Description: Obverse deeply engraved across surface with central inscription surrounded by wide band of deeply engraved flowers, scrolling foliage, grotesque masks, and four beaded medallions with interior figures probably taken from English emblem book or from fable illustrations. Mark: at underside of rim: bells on shaded background in elliptical surround, with incuse "x" stamped immediately below and between former; possible pattern number "30302" is also scratched into surface above hallmarks; in addition, two slightly obscured incuse numbers "1.8 (or 6]" are located to right of hallmarks, and may relate to capacity.

ClassificationsSILVER