Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Serving Platter with Dome, 1856-70

An early example of Tiffany sterling, this is a wonderful serving platter with its original dome cover. The oval platter with a raised edge is bordered by a lovely applied band of Greek-key and bead ornamentation. The center of the platter is engraved with a lovely 'HWC' monogram.

The dome, engraved with the same monogram, fits beautifully on its base and is also bordered with applied greek-key and bead banding.

A bold, oval ring handle exhibits the same design with Greek-key design running along both sides and along the top surface of the handle being separated by beading. This image reflects wonderfully on the dome surface around the handle bordered by another applied decorative band.

The 'HWC' monogram is for Harriet Weld Corning. Harriet Weld from Roxbury, Massachusetts married Erastus Corning in 1819. Erastus Corning, born in Preston, Connecticut, moved to Albany NY in 1841 and amassed enormous wealth as president (and partial owner of) the Albany Iron Works, the Albany City Bank and the Albany and Schenectady Railroad. He pioneered the consolidation that became the New York Central Railroad and became its first president. He was an original investor in the Corning glassworks and the city of Corning, NY, is named after him.

This stunning and rare server is marked underneath the platter 'TIFFANY & CO/ GOLD & SILVERSMITHS/ 550 BROADWAY/ 433-2758' and with a pair of gothic 'm' marks . According to Tiffany Silver by Charles Carpenter, the double 'm' mark was used from 1854 to 1870 and refers to both Moores - John Chandler Moore, the father, and Edward C. Moore, his son, working in partnership during that period. The '433' pattern number dates the design of the piece from 1856 to 1859. The platter measures 15 inches long by 10.5 wide and 9.75 high to the top of the dome handle. It weighs 77.65 troy ounces and is in very good/ excellent antique condition.