What is the difference between a salver and a tray?

A salver rests on small feet, lifting it slightly above the table surface. They rarely have handles. Trays are generally larger and sit flat on the table. They often feature handles at either end for carrying heavier loads.

I have inherited a large silver piece and my grandmother always called it a waiter, is a waiter just another name for a salver?

The terms are often used interchangeably today, but historically a waiter was just a small salver. They were specifically sized for presenting a single glass or a letter to someone. Waiters usually measure under eight inches across. Anything larger is generally called a salver by dealers, though the construction is identical.

Can you remove old engravings from a salver?

Silversmiths can sometimes rub out an inscription. This removes a layer of silver. The centre becomes thinner and might yield under pressure.

When I clean the dark tarnish off my old silver salvers they sometimes get a strange yellowish tint to them, why does this happen?

That yellowish tint is often a sign of firestain, a layer of copper oxide beneath the surface of the silver. It formed when the silversmith originally heated the alloy during manufacture. Modern commercial polishes strip away the top layer of pure silver, exposing the darker firestain underneath. Gentle cleaning with mild silver foam usually prevents it becoming too obvious.

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Victorian Silver Salvers

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Antique silver salvers are flat trays raised on three or four small feet, originally used by servants to present letters, visiting cards, or drinks to a host. They usually feature a decorative raised border that stops objects sliding off the flat central ground.