Deep dish or deep plate

1750-1800

Measurements

1-1/4 in x 12-3/4 in (dia)

Materials

Pewter

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Thomas Martin in honor of Dorothy Buford

Accession Number

2012.206

Inscription

The brim has two engraved passages, one with ““HI·S / 1736” and the other with a conjoined “MB,” possibly with an “A” worked into it.  The outside bottom has touchmarks, now illegible.

Condition Notes

The deep dish exhibits some pitting.

Comments

This deep dish (too small to be considered a charger) has had considerable decorative work done to it, at or near the time of its manufacture.  After removal from the pewterer's mold, the brim of the single-reeded was given ten evenly spaced notches that divide it into lobe-like sections.  The underside was then struck with a punch along the sides of the lobes, which raised them slightly, adding a gentle contour to the lobe decoration.  The visible side of the brim has two sets of initials engraved into it, probably to honor or represent successive owners.

Regrettably, the deep dish has no early history, nor can the touchmarks on the bottom be identified because of wear.