Silver Platter Cover
These silver platter cover examples span the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras, offering a grand way to keep roast joints and warm dishes piping hot at the table.
Silver Platter Cover
A silver platter cover is a large dome or dish cover designed to sit over meat, game, and entrees to preserve heat and presentation. The pieces available range from substantial Georgian meat domes and Old Sheffield Plate covers to Victorian and Edwardian silver plated entree dishes.
Buyers will encounter various forms, including rectangular and oval entree dishes, sauce tureens, and large serving domes. These items originate from periods spanning the early nineteenth century through to the early twentieth century, reflecting formal dining traditions.
How they were made
Makers utilised traditional techniques involving copper fused with silver, known as Old Sheffield Plate, alongside later electroplated methods on nickel silver and standard silver plate. These materials provided the durability and bright metallic finish required for heavy daily service.
Craftsmen shaped these metals into heavy domes and dishes, often incorporating applied borders, handles, and cast details such as eagles or crests. The construction ensured both structural rigidity for retaining heat and decorative elegance for the dining table.
Some heavy meat domes were topped with cast eagles or family crests, ensuring that even a Sunday roast had a theatrical audience.
What varies in quality
The standard of a silver platter cover is determined by the thickness of the plating, the crispness of any applied chased or cast decoration, and the weight of the underlying metal. Heavier gauges of Old Sheffield Plate or substantial silver plate indicate superior construction and greater longevity.
Design distinction also separates pieces, with finer examples featuring balanced proportions, crisp maker marks, and sophisticated handle castings rather than plain utilitarian forms. The integration of matching sets or graduated sizes further elevates the standing of these items.
Roberts Cadman·Henry Wilkinson·Hamilton and Inches·Boulton·Cresswick·Durand
The Silver Platter Cover Glossary
- Old Sheffield Plate
- A method of fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper base before rolling them together into sheets for manufacturing. This technique precedes modern electroplating and leaves characteristic copper edges visible on close inspection.
- EPNS
- Electroplated Nickel Silver, a common base metal composition coated with a thin layer of pure silver through an electrical process. This material became widespread during the Victorian and Edwardian periods for serving ware.
- Meat Dome
- A large, high-domed cover placed directly over a platter of roast meat or poultry to retain warmth. They often feature an insulated handle at the top for lifting.
- Entree Dish
- A shallow serving vessel with a removable lid, used for presenting side dishes or individual courses at formal meals. They are frequently found in oval or rectangular shapes.
Silver Platter Cover: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean a silver platter cover?
Use a soft cloth and a dedicated silver polish formulated for plated items, applying gentle pressure to avoid wearing through the silver layer.
Avoid harsh abrasive cleaners or soaking Old Sheffield Plate in chemical dips, as this can expose the underlying copper base permanently.
Can I use these for modern dining?
These pieces function well for serving roasted joints or warm dishes at dinner parties, bringing period character to the table.
Ensure food is transferred carefully and hand wash the items immediately after use to protect the historical surfaces.
What is the difference between Old Sheffield Plate and silver plate?
Old Sheffield Plate involves physically fusing silver and copper sheets together under heat before forming the object. Later silver plate uses electricity to bond a thin coating of silver onto a nickel silver or base metal substrate.
How do I date a silver cover?
Examine the style of any engraved crests, handles, and borders alongside the manufacturing technique, such as fused plate versus electroplating. Maker marks and retailer stamps often provide specific clues to the active working period of the silversmith.