Egyptian Dishes with Arabic Lettering-Used For?

[ladywoodlane]

I have 2 small dishes, 2 3/4" in diameter. Here are some photos.





The writing looks like it could be Middle Eastern, but I really don't know and hope I am posting this in the right section. Help much appreciated.
Best Wishes,
Mariann Katz

[dragonflywink]

Egyptian 900/1000 silver, dating from 1906-46 (your marks are upside down).

Cheryl ;o)

http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ladywoodlane]

Cheryl, thank you so much. I am fascinated to learn about these things. Does anyone know what these small plates or dishes were used for and what the Arabic writing says?

[ladywoodlane]

I have changed the orientation of the mark, so it is shown correctly now and you can clearly see it is a cat, something I missed before. Thanks, Cheryl!

[ladywoodlane]

Thanks to member Hoda who supplied the following information on my 2 small plates. "They are a typical Arabic design, which you find in Khan El Khalili ( a very very old area and very touristic) The exact literal translation is Patience is beautifull, in other words you tell those two words to someone who is very much in a hurry and you want to cool him down (hold in horses as an expression). I will write them in english alphabit for you to pronounce EL SABER GAMIL. As for the marks please refer to http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; you will notice that your plates are prior 1946 as after this date the cat was replaced with the lotus sign."

[aviator888]

The dishes are for sweetmeats, nuts, dates etc. The hallmark is .900 grade silver hallmarked in Cairo in 1931.

[ladywoodlane]

Thanks, Aviator, for the great info. I have printed it out and will place with the small plates. Now I know how to use them.