Small Handled SP tray Use?

Any thoughts of original use? about 3" high x 9" long an 3" wide.

 

Maybe a lady's Vanity Tray?
Looks like some I have seen.

EDIT
Examples
https://www.google.com/search?q=van...hWECD4KHXKmC3AQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=OLbsQAh3EP_NfM:

 

Could be... but interior is curved up the sides and only 2 1/2" wide from inside.

 

Hmmmmm... that would be small, true...

 

cake , roll, or bread serving tray dish.......

 

or maybe too small for that..???

 

Ahhhhhh... a better fit?

EDIT

Did proper little girls have proper little vanities?

OH! How about for the gentleman's bureau top... for his watch, money-clip and change? Still too small?

Here's a tiny one, more similar in size. 3 inches wide. Supposedly a dressing table thing.
http://www.bryandouglas.co.uk/silverware/dressing_table_trays/b4855/b4855a.htm

 

Trip98, I'm just curious but . . . does the "9 inches long" description include the handles?

 

I would guess it had a glass insert for serving something at table...

 

Includes handles, 6" long for the basin.

 

It would have to be a curved bottom glass to fit right. The curve is very distinct.

 

I was thinking maybe crackers, round bread slices or something like a cheese roll.

 

Ok, here's my thoughts... Since it is stamped quadruple plate on the bottom it's my guess it was used a long, long time ago in at Restaurant, Hotel, Ship, Train, etc... for condiments, candy, a tray to put the bill on by the waiter or waitress so you could pay (a dollar bill is about 2 5/8" x 6") and the rounded bottom would make it easier to take change out of or condiments. The handle also kind of seems like it would have been used often like in a service industry.

 

Well, despite whatever its original use, it is a small and lovely dish that could serve in many ways...

 

Pen tray on a desk. Or possibly for storing postage-stamps and spare nibs. Hence the curved edges, so it's easier to slide them out when you need them.

 

MmmmmMmmMmm!

 

Maybe a card tray?

 

Calling-cards and the like were usually placed on salvers (small trays). On a doohickey like this, I could see them just flopping out the sides and falling on the floor.

The rounded interior tells me it's to stop something from falling/rolling out. But the storage-space is only 3in. by 6in, so it can't be anything very big. In many respects, the curved interior rather limits what you can actually use it for. Because that shape will prohibit it from being used (practically, anyway) for a variety of objects.

A close look at the picture says that the manufacturer is Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co.

A peek on Google suggests that it was a largescale manufacturer of sterling silver, and silverplate items. Tea-sets, cutlery, religious stuff, etc, etc etc...

...I'm not sure if this helps at all, but if you can find a company catalogue & look up No. 28 (the number on the base), it might help?

 

It's about the right size for a butter dish I'd think. I wonder if it had an insert.

 

It's a Bobbitt tray. Use is obvious.