The Kalo Shops Arts & Crafts Sterling Silver Oval Covered Serving Dish, Chicago, IL, 1912-16

This serving dish is an unusual shape and size. The oval platter is shallow with raised sides. Bold lobed design creates the striking border. The interior of the dish has a ledge on which the cover rests.

An applied, shaped handle with cut terminals give a dramatic effect against the plain surface. Engraved on one side is a beautiful script style 'GEP' monogram.

The Kalo Shop is known for its hammered surfaces and creative, forward looking arts & crafts designs. It was started by Clara Barck Welles who was 'known for her fair employment practices and for giving opportunities to women to become metalsmiths'.(1)

This stunning serving dish is marked 'STERLING/ HAND WROUGHT/ AT/ THE KALO SHOPS/ CHICAGO/ AND/ NEW YORK/ N275'. It measures 13 inches long by 7.25 inches deep by 4 inches high, weighs 28.05 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition. There has been a small inscription removed from the underside of the platter - most likely the family name to the monogram.

Endnote:

1. Sharon S. Darling, Chicago Metalsmiths, (Chicago: Chicago Historical Society, 1977), p. 48.