Accession Number

2016.008.001

Description

A silver-plated tray with flower and spade design on the platter. Handles are decorated with acanthus flourishes. The rim has a row of dots around it. No manufacturer's marks.

Narrative

The silver-plated tray has no maker’s marks. Its design indicates that it was made circa 1885, making it somewhat older than the Gorham tea & coffee service that is part of this accession. The donor states that as long as she has been familiar with the Gorham service, it has been used in conjunction with this tray. She states that her late husband had remembered that his grandparents had always used this tray with the Gorham tea & coffee service.  

The tray was used with the silver Gorham tea service that was given to the donor’s late husband Gordon Fields’ grandparents Violetta and William Fields on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary in 1891 when the couple lived in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In June, 1909 their two sons, Charles and Cass Fields attended the Joan Dunsmuir Estate executor’s auction at Craigdarroch where they purchased numerous auction lots including a rosewood bedstead, a pier mirror, and various Swiss “Black Forest” carvings which are now in Craigdarroch’s collection (see 984.58 deer clock carving; 2003.3. 1 bear hallstand & 2 carved deer plaque; 2003.4 carved deer plaque).

History of Use

The tray was used with the silver Gorham tea service that was given to the donor’s late husband Gordon Fields’ grandparents Violetta and William Fields on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary in 1891 when the couple lived in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The couple and their children eventually moved to Victoria BC. In 1907 they lived at 123 Cambridge Street and later moved to 633 Linden.

Date

circa 1885

Dimensions

5 cm x 46 cm x 73 cm

Material

Metal, alloy; Metal, silver

Technique

Plated; Engraved