Featured Egg cups of uncertain age

Not sure how old these are. I didn’t realize until I was looking at the pictures that there was a monogram. It looks like BT to me, but I’m not sure and I’ve already packed them.

Any info appreciated!

 

Those poor puppies need a good polishing

 

They don't look like the right shape for egg cups....?

According to inh's informative link, the marks look like the 1980s example.

 

Gorham. That one I recognize. And I agree, they're begging for a good polishing.

 

They look like a sherbert cup to me.

 

Interesting......Just took a quick browse through google looking for Gorham sterling egg cups/ sherberts and nothing I saw had a square base like your's do. Maybe @Bakersgma can shed some light.

 

I'm afraid I cannot shed any light on the square bottom supports. But I agree with Bluumz that the shape is wrong for eggcups. Maybe someone can find a catalog?

 

I don't see size mentioned. I did find a couple of examples a2021 that sellers call open salts. They are rather small 1 5/8" x 2 1/8"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gorham-Ope...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

That's a match for the item number

 

Date of original manufacture was 1916 - source: Tompkins' 'Handbook of Gorham Open Salt Dishes' (1987).

 

They have to have had glass liners originally. Salt eats silver. That may be why the shape looks funny. It's not all there.

 

Y’all are amazing.

 

Other than being in desperate need of polishing, there is nothing wrong with their looks, they're quite lovely, and unlikely they ever had glass liners. Not that liners don't go missing, but it was very common for both solid silver and silverplate salts to be produced for use without a liner - the interiors were usually gilt, but not always, and it was suggested in housekeeping guides that salt cellars be emptied before putting away (the notes on this particular salt mention the interior was 'gold-washed').

 

I was going to say open salts the minute I saw them. I joined the Open Salts Collectors of the World facebook page. What an eye opener and some lovely pieces. I think I have sold some valuable open salts as trinket dishes over the years for a lot less than they were worth. Good facebook page to follow for the educational value.Beware they are prolific posters!