Featured alms bowl????

is this an alms bowl and does it have any age??

 

nice bowl........

 

seems terribly fancy for alms.....???

 

A Google Image search for "alms plate" brings up many similars.

Debora

 

I haven't much experience in places of worship...but komokwa an' I agree about the ornate nature an' construction being over the top for an alms plate; perhaps an offering plate, passed down the pews to the generous faithful? Or are those the same thing?

 

An "alms plate" or "alms dish" appears to refer to a Christian dish in which alms are collected. It is displayed on the altar. Think there's some confusion with "alms bowl" which are used for the offerings received by Buddhist monks.

Debora

 

Alms for the poor.........

 

Thanks, Debora...that's exactly where I am; you have cleared up my misunderstanding nicely!

 

'Oost West, Thuis Best' ('There's no place like home') and not a single cross or reference to God or a saint, doesn't seem to qualify this as an alm dish.

 

yes, i was also not quite sure how to name the item. But alms plate could be right and indeed with bowl other thing come up google.

 

for what i can see on google most are fancy. google alms plate or alms dish

 

Looks similar to this one.

 

https://lens.google.com/search?ep=g...zYy0yODA0LTRkMjgtODlkNC1iY2M0ZDIwMTYxYzciXV0=

 

yes that is mine, but it didn´t sell at all. i think these dishes are not in voge right now.

 

prices seem a little on the high side....... although yours is the nicest!

 

thanks

 

https://becksantiques.com/product/large-early-nuremberg-brass-alms-dish/
"While they are regularly called alms dishes the actual original use seems to still be discussed. They do show up in early German interior scene paintings positioned as reflectors behind candles or lamps."
As a reflector, that 'Oost West, Thuis Best' saying, makes more sense.

 

it has a hook on the back so i think it is pure decoration.

 

does anyone know the age? 19th century or older because to me it looks pretty old and has been hand chiseled.

 

Although it looks similar to an alms bowl, anyone asking for alms is surely not going to be using a dish with a saying about home is the best. Decorative brass wall plates are very popular. https://www.google.com/search?sca_e...ih=748&dpr=1#vhid=4GRApRiNb4bWyM&vssid=mosaic