Presented is a very interesting antique silver alms tray or collection plate,
dating to around 1800-1850. The dish is round, with a gadroon border around the
edge and the exhortation 'Give Alms Of Thy Goods' engraved against a striking
diagonal crosshatch background, interspersed with little foliate sprigs. The
center of the bowl is engraved with a stylized equilateral cross with stylized
flowers, almost like a fleur de lis, at the ends. We aren't sure where this alms
tray was made; since the inscription is in English but the dish does not have
English hallmarks it may be of American make. The style is more European, but
this makes the English inscription a little puzzling. Whatever the case, it's a
wonderful piece of silver.

The bowl is in great overall condition. The engraving is nice and crisp.
There is one tiny spot that looks like a split, which we show in the ninth
photograph, but this seems to be original to the construction of the piece, and
even if it is a split it does not go all the way through. Also, please be
advised this photo is magnified, in person this is a tiny flaw that is very hard
to notice. There are no other splits, no dents, no monograms, no monogram
removals, and no repairs.

This piece is not stamped or hallmarked but we have tested it with nitric
acid and guarantee it to be silver of at least 850 purity.

This piece is about 9 1/2 inches in diameter and about 1 1/8 inches tall.

This piece weighs 269 grams or 9.5 regular ounces.

-jm