Frank W. Smith Silver Co Antique Sterling Silver Open Butter Dish, Gardner, MA, c. 1900

This is a beautiful open butter dish with its original liner. It is made in one of the famous designs created by this company, one this sees in their sterling swing-handle baskets often retailed by Tiffany & Co. The shaped rim has thick appliques of scrolls and leaves. The undulating interior edge is hand-chased in a complementary design. The removable insert is beautifully shaped and pierced. This stunning dish can be used with ice chips to chill and serve pieces of fruit or butter or can be used without the insert as a lovely small dish or coaster.

Frank Smith silver is underappreciated today. At the turn of the century, when this was made, the firm's silver was sold by very high end retailers such as Tiffany and Co., Bailey, Banks and Biddle (like this) and Howard & Co. of New York.

The underside is marked with Frank Smith's logo and 'STERLING/ 2803'. It is also stamped with the great Philadelphia retailer 'BAILEY, BANKS & BIDDLE COMPANY'. It measures 8 inches in diameter by 1.25 inches high, weighs 10.70 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition.