Antique Solid Sterling Silver 'Castle Top' Dish/Pin Tray, Windsor Castle - Taylor & Perry 1843

Description and Details 

We are delighted to offer this intricate Victorian solid silver small dish/pin tray with the marks of Taylor & Perry, Birmingham 1843.Despite its dainty and compact size, this dish is all but plain and simple and a fine example of 'castle top' silverware. The central portion depicts Windsor Castle from across the river and the surrounding engraved wreath of foliage and floral motifs form a slightly raised border. 

'Castle Top' silverware, as the name suggests, refers to silverware with a castle depiction, normally found on snuff boxes, vinaigrettes and card cases. Occasionally, such collectable features can also be found on small baskets or dishes as is the case with this particular piece.

Scenes of famous, popular and historic monuments were intricately and accurately depicted and made by leading silversmiths with the craftsmanship that enabled them to replicate the fine details of the real-life monuments. Such articles would have been usually gifted/purchased as a memoir of visiting such places or for those with a significant association with the depicted scenes.  Due to this dish's compact size and raised edge, aside from a pin tray, it would make for a splendid jewellery bedside tray or perhaps even an opulent ashtray for cigar aficionados. 

An Idea for a day's outing: One sensational way to appreciate this article even further may be to bring it, should one ever have the opportunity to visit the castle, and try to locate the exact spot from which this scene was captured and compare the wonderful scenes you will be able to experience.

The dish is hallmarked with English marks on the side of the raised edge towards the bottom of the castle.  *Please note: all images with other items are for display purposes only, this listing is for the item mentioned in the title. 

Size