HISTORY:
Don't you love history? We do.
This is not just "another" Silver plated table dish - Oh No! The company that manufactured it has historical significance. K.G. Luke had their factory initially located at 26 Queens Parade, North Fitzroy - Melbourne and then constructed and moved into a larger premises, also in Queens Parade. They were operating from these premises since around 1938 until the early 1970's. The Victorian Government has denoted that this site is of historical significance for both the City of Yarra but also the architecture of the remaining structure. The front facade was very much in an Art Deco style and remains standing to this day, sadly the extensive use of Art Deco styling in the building has been lost forever.
Drawing of the building as it was back in the late 1930's (Reference HERE)
Just the facade sadly remains standing alongside Queens Parade (Reference Google Maps)
Mr Luke was a self made businessman who immersed himself in public duties, of which there were many including President of the Carlton Football Club from 1938 ~ 1955, Vice-President of the Victorian Football League 1946 ~ 1955 and President of the League from 1956 ~ 1971.
This comport lookings perfectly at home whether the setting is a home based "period themed dinner" from the 1920's through to the 1950's or a stage drama production, this comport has been in both worlds as we would at times hire or loan out pieces, particularly to drama production companies in the stage and screen industries. This piece is now "retired from service" and eagerly awaits a new owner to care and cherish it ...
K.G. LUKE (Melbourne) - Comport
Made in Melbourne, Victoria
Tradename: PARAMOUNT
Pattern: Rosepoint
Electro-plated Nickel Silver (Silver Triple Plate)
Triple plated, which means the electroplated Silver coating has been applied three times to give a more durable finish. We are still talking a VERY thin Silver coating over the Nickel base, typically 4/1000ths of an inch or 100µm
Judging from the condition of this piece, after 60 years of both personal use and as a "working piece" as a prop in some "period" productions, it remains highly durable with very little signs of useage over all these years.
Circa 1950's ~ mid 1960's
Never heard of a comport? It is simply a table dish or bowl which is raised up from the surface of the table to add an air of elegance and variation in the presentation of the contents. This dish has seen a variety of contents, from biscuits such as macaroons, luxurious chocolates or our favourite, colourful fruit displays shouting out "Eat me, Eat me"
DESIGN: Six oval shaped loops, with the space inside each loop and between each loop having a scroll like pattern. The top rim is heavily scalloped and in the central area, the metal is solid i.e it could hold a liquid if desired. The diameter of this central solid area is 75mm (3")
The stem design is quite basic (no decorative work) and is actually identical to many of the sports trophies that the company also produced.
The round base is 112mm (4.5") and provides a strong, stable support for the dish above.
BACKSTAMP:
Looks to have been stamped into the metal, not etched
Note the K.G. LUKE company logo between the text TRIPLE PLATE
DIMENSIONS:
246mm (just over 9.5") diameter x 165mm (6.5") tall (base to the top of the dish)
WEIGHT: 600g
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Although this comport is touching on 60 years of service, it is in remarkable condition.
NO physical damage to the dish, the stem or the base
Clean
Bright high lustre (Yes it has had the Silver non-chemical cleaning treatment using Baking Soda and Aluminium foil, we are not inclined towards Silverware having extensive patina!)
Very little useage scratching to the central area or up the sides towards the top rim.
NO oxidisation of the plating observed, it is so common with old THIN plated Silverware (small Brown spots will start to appear, these later turning Black and they CANNOT be removed as the plating itself has become damaged)
Because this comport is now advertised and I have completed my description, photographs etc ... it has been placed in a SEALED clear plastic package in an attempt to slow down the oxidisation process that naturally occurs (Silver will go Yellow, then Brown and finally a Black as it reacts with the atmosphere) this is normal tarnishing and can be controlled with regular cleaning.
