6" George III style silver salver

Small silver salver, in style popular in the late 18th century, with what's called a pie-crust border and mounted on three silver hoof supports. The piece is perfect for engraving an image or inscription.

The word salver was a term used in England from the mid-seventeenth century to denote a flat tray without handles, usually made of silver. Like this one, some salver designs feature supporting feet - usually three or four.

The word derives from the Latin salvare meaning to save. Originally, food or drink intended for royalty would be initially tasted by a servant for signs of poison before it reached the royal top table. By being served on the salver indicated that this process had taken place and the food and drink was now fit for a king