HISTORY:
We used to have a few English Sterling Silver and Silver Plate entree dishes which were "passed down" to us, a fun thing to have for those very special occasions. These all used keyed removeable handles in the lid.
Although we had a few of these removeable handles, over time some would "disappear" which makes lifting the lid of the dish just a tad difficult!
The new owner of our entree dishes didn't need the keyed removeable handle so this one is now an orphan and very lonely!
If you have a classic English entree dish, it is likely it will have the female socket in the lid and you will need a keyed handle (such as this one) to use the dish properly.
Don't be too concerned about sizes (although I have given some dimensions below, just in case) as our dishes at least all had the same style and size of handle socket in the lid. Insert the handle into the lid socket and turn, job done! You can now safely remove the dish lid, particularly important if the contents are hot ...
KEYED REMOVEABLE HANDLE
Intended for use with English entree dishes
Material: Silver plate - we "think" the base metal used is Brass because on the underside around the edge rim (where it experiences the most wear from being continually inserted and removed from the lid socket) we can see a light Yellow colouring where the Silver plate has worn away.
Design: Simple with a "knot like" pattern across the top of the handle, the remaining areas are plain.
Dimensions: 82mm x 60mm oval shaped base, Oval shaped vertical holding ring measuring 77mm x 50mm.
Stamped into the underside of the handle is these characters x (unable to determine the first character but it is not a number) 339
We do not believe this is a hallmark but a manufacturer's identification mark
Weight: 240g (surprisingly heavy!)
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
Clean
High Silver lustre (we are not believers in allowing our Silverware to have it's natural patina - we are presently food to people and they would not have liked us to present their food in dark Grey Silverware! Sometimes this push by some to preserve the patina is just a bit non-sensical
Just the slightest lightest amount of oxidisation in the very difficult to clean areas (shows as a Blackness) but this is not easily visible.
Silverplating is in very good condition with regard to scratching or wear
