What is a bon bon dish for?

Sweets and nuts. They're small, shallow, commonly pierced round the sides or rim, and made to sit on a table rather than carry much weight. They are the largest single group in this category, and they come in pairs as often as singly.

Are these dishes silver or silver plate?

Both. About a quarter of titles say sterling or solid, meaning hallmarked silver, and roughly a fifth say plated or Sheffield plate. The plated branch includes Old Sheffield Plate, the earlier fused technique, alongside later electroplate. Entree dishes, warming dishes and meat covers are where plate shows up most.

How old are most of them?

Victorian and Edwardian pieces lead, with the 1900s, 1910s, 1920s and 1930s following on behind. Dealer dating stretches from 1700 to 1960 in total. Georgian and earlier work exists but is a small fraction, and a fair number of listings carry only a loose label such as 19th Century. At the far end, 47 listings are dated to the 1960s.

Why do so many come in pairs?

Pairs appear in around a sixth of titles, and sets of four, six and twelve occur too, including cased sets and a set of twelve Georgian gilt dishes. Pairs and sets sit higher in the range than singles. One title describes a matched pair, so not every pair began life together.

What does a shell dish mean in a title?

A dish modelled as a scallop shell. Around 82 titles use the word, and the form served for butter, salt or sweetmeats. Butter dishes are the second distinct group in the category, and shell shapes and cut glass liners both turn up often among them.

Do unusual or novelty forms appear?

They're a persistent thread. Squirrel nut dishes, playing-card suit dishes, rowing and Viking boats, a gondola, a shoe, a frog and a horseshoe all appear, along with dishes made around 1797 pennies and Chinese trade dollars. Origins beyond Britain show up sparingly: German, French, Dutch, Norwegian, Spanish and Austrian pieces, Chinese export dishes and Anglo-Indian Kutch work. Around 167 of these dishes are listed a year on Sellingantiques, spread across 124 different dealers.

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Antique Silver Dishes

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Small and medium table and serving vessels in silver or plate: sweetmeat and bon bon dishes, butter dishes, covered entree dishes, baskets and pedestal dishes, made for the dining table and the dressing table.