RW & S, Sterling. What is this item used for?

[Karin333]

Hi,
I purchased this item a few days ago and have done tons of searching online. I have no idea what it is used for. I know the maker but cannot find anything similar online.
It is stamped RW & S, Sterling 1534
Measures 6 inches across, about 1 inch deep bowl.
Is it an ash tray? Incense burner? Communion plate? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[AG2012]

Hi,
R. Wallace & Sons Mfg Co
Take a look here
http://www.925-1000.com/americansilver_W.html
Regards

[AG2012]

rechaud/plate, food warmer

[Karin333]

Thank you all the quick responses. I've looked extensively at all the Wallace holloware online and cannot find any similar items. This plate/bowl is very small. Only 6 inches across. So I don't think it could be a warming plate, but if it were larger I could see the resemblance. I would say it resembles a communion/wafer plate more than anything else but it doesn't have any religious symbols at all. There is also a monogram on the front with 2 letters but I'm not sure what they are. Any other ideas? Thank you!
Karin

[dognose]

Is the pieced part, flat, concave, or convex?

Trev.

[Karin333]

It is convex. I'll post another pic later but I'm not at home right now. Thank you for your help!
Karin

[oel]

Hi,

Perhaps a little pot pourri holder.

Best,

Peter

[dragonflywink]

Might be a small centerpiece bowl with a flower mesh, they're usually larger but have seen them as small as this in old catalogs - probably from right around the 1920s, though could be later...

~Cheryl

[Karin333]

Thank you all for the ideas. I'm still not able to find my exact piece online but I'm thinking Peter may be correct that it is a pot pourri bowl. It resembles those the most so far. I'll keep looking online and let you all know if I find the exact same one. I'm curious to know what year it was made. I'm glad to have joined this forum. Everyone has been so helpful!
Karin

[dragonflywink]

It's a butter dish - you have the pierced piece positioned incorrectly, it should be concave, a high cover was also available...

~Cheryl

from a 1916 Wallace catalog:

[dragonflywink]

A small centerpiece bowl of similar size, with flower mesh, from a 1928 retailer catalog:



~Cheryl

[Karin333]

Amazing! Cheryl, you found it! It is a butter dish! The photo from the catalog above, item #1534, that is the same # on the bottom of the bowl. So my "butter dish" is missing the cover, and the strainer part is supposed to be concave, not convex like I thought! This is so cool, thank you so much for your help! Now I need to try to locate a cover for it. I'll post a picture of it with the strainer concave.
Thanks again,
Karin