Peter Krider Pair of Antique Sterling Silver Covered Serving Dishes, Philadelphia, PA, c. 1878-94

These stunning covered dishes were made by the Philadelphia firm of Peter L. Krider. Square-shaped footed dishes are much rarer than the common oval form. The domed covers have beautiful repousséd surfaces of various floral and foliate scenery against stippled backgrounds. Attached loop handles depict branches covered with grapevine. The borders are decorated with overlapping classical designs capped in the corners with large neo-classical acanthus leaves. The interior of the base is monogrammed 'MCC' in a script style. The bases are also decorated with complimentary repoussé design. The scrolling feet terminate at the dish with wonderful boldly cast masks.

These rare and lovely sterling silver serving dishes are marked underneath 'STERLING' and by the Philadelphia retailer 'Bailey, Banks & Biddle' who operated under this name from 1878-94. One dish is marked with the Krider trademark. One cover and one base is marked with the numeral '1' and the other cover and base is marked '2', so we know the tops are original to their bases. They measure 6 inches high to the top of the finial by 8.75 inches square. They have a combined weight of 91.45 troy ounces and are in excellent crisp antique condition.

Provenance: Mary C. Clothier, member of a prominent Philadelphia family. Family oral history indicates much of her silver was purchased at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876, although these probably date to after that event.

Later note: These were featured in "An Important Philadelphia Silver Service" by William P. Hood, Jr., John R. Olson, and Charles S. Curb in Silver Magazine May/June 1910.