This is a large silver-plated oval-shaped platter in a large pale blue Birks box. The platter rests on some white tissue paper. It has a raised rim and etched floral patterns across its flat base. There are two ornate handles, one at each of the ‘pointier’ ends of the platter. There is a makers mark in the centre of the underside.
The box may be original to the platter.
Accession Number: 2019.ast.159
Alternative Name: Serving Plate, Primrose Plate Platter
Metal: Copper, Metal: Silver, Metal: Lead, Paper, Cardboard
In the centre on top of the box: “BIRKS”
On the underside of the platter: “PRIMROSE PLATE
CANADA
E.P. COPPER
LEAD MOUNTS
0134”
Box: Length = 53, Width = 39, Height = 10
This platter was likely used for the serving and/or display of food and drink at the David Dunlap Observatory.
Good: The platter is in very good condition, although around the rim and handles it exhibits blue/purple oxidization. The box is somewhat dented/crushed, and discoloured from light in one corner.
Associated Instruments:
Manufacturer: Birks, Canada
Date of Manufacture: 1948-1970s?
This object was likely moved from the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill in 2008, upon the sale of the observatory. It was stored at the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics until 2017, when it was moved to a new storage location in McLennan Physical Laboratories.
Additional Information and References:
Historical Notes:
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