The Pear Dish

Some silver shines. This one glows. An oval serving dish in silver plate, with a softly lobed rim that ripples like a shell, all of it perched on four round ball feet that make it look as if it’s about to tiptoe off the table.

Decades of use have given it the kind of finish you can’t fake. Where the silver has thinned along the ribs, warm brass peeks through in fine golden lines. Underneath, the patina runs from smoky grey to blue, violet and copper, like oil on water. We decided not to polish it away. That’s the story, and it’s too good to erase.

Made in continental Europe around the middle of the 20th century, it carries an unidentified maker’s mark: a monogram with a little star, framed in a D shaped cartouche. A small mystery, included at no extra charge.

Pile it high with pears, figs or clementines and let it be the centrepiece of the kitchen table. In the hallway it becomes the obvious home for keys, sunglasses and the day’s post, while on a dressing table it keeps rings, earrings and perfume bottles together in style. 

The details

• Material: Silver plate over brass
• Style: Lobed oval dish on four ball feet, mid 20th century, continental Europe
• Marks: Letter L above a monogram with star in a D shaped cartouche, maker unidentified
• Dimensions: 27 x 5 x 18,5 cm
• Condition: Good vintage condition. Natural patina and wear to the silver plate, with brass showing along the ribs and rim. No dents or repairs.