Need some help to identify this item

Does anybody know what this was used for? Possibly to catch bread crumbs??? And how old it is and where it is from?

When I got it, it was nearly black and it took me quite some time to clean it (including a black polishing cloth) but there are still some "discolorations" on the lid. Does anybody know how I can get rid of them?

Also if someone would have a rough idea if there is any value, just some number would be great, even if it is just a couple $.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Hi,
This is commonly called a silent butler - for collecting either crumbs or cigarette ashes. They have been made for some time, but I do believe that yours dates from the 1950s - 70s, and i believe that yours is silver plate.

 

Have you figured out whose coat of arms is on top? Cute lil' lions!

 

my mom had one of those.....

 

Most of the Forbes ones have that same design on top

 

To modify somewhat Mansons reply -- crumbing a dinner table requires an arrangement rather like a dustpan and brush (although the brush can also be something that looks rather like a large fish knife).

The silent butler is from the days when everybody smoked, leaving overflowing ashtrays on every possible surface. Periodically during the evening, the butler/maid/housekeeper/host would circulate about, emptying said ashtrays discreetly into your gizmo, along with cracker bits, nut shells, and used toothpicks.

 

BTW, a bit of Old English Furniture Polish will take care of the handle nicely.