A truly unique silver plate sweet meat with an unusual diamond quilted satin glass mother of pearl insert produced at the turn of the 20th century. The victorian era gave rise to a number of table wares including a fairly common item called a sweetmeat server. These pieces consisted of an art glass bowl which sat in an accompanying silver plate holder for use at the dinner table. Sometimes a silver plate spoon or less often miniature tongs would accompany the dish. This example varies from the norm in both shape and design. Usually found in clear or enabled glass of assorted colors, this is the first I have ever seen using a satin glass insert. 

The frame and miniature tongues were produced by the Aurora Silver Plate Mfg Co originally located in Aurora, Illinois, close to Chicago. The company began operations in the late 1860s and produced table wears up until 1919. The mark visible on the bottom of the frame was used during the years 1893–1899. I believe the satin glass insert could have been produced by a number of American companies, Mount Washington and Phoenix Art Glass Co. come to mind. The insert measures 2” tall, 5 3/8” diameter. The frame stands 6 3/4” tall and measures 7 1/2” across the handle. The tongs measure 3 1/4” long. The entire ensemble is in excellent condition with no damage or repairs to the glass or the frame. The insert fits properly in the frame and is in perfect proportion to the frame. The only point to mention on the glass is a small bump on one of the ruffles created during manufacturing. This evidently was a dot of excess glass that fused to the ruffle as it was tooled in the factory. I would classify this example as somewhat rare in the marketplace today as I have never seen anything quite like it.  Please view all pictures as they are considered part of the description. 

Please check back to my listings often as I will be posting numerous fine examples of glass, pottery and porcelain in the near future. 

Thank you.