Sterling Round Tray

Marked on the edge of the foot with poorly struck "Sterling". I guess the maker won't matter anyway?
Thanks

 

Nope. Maker is irrelevant.

 

Just call it "Tobias"

Two Old Blokes In A Shed

 

LOL.

Lovely dish, though. I like how the engraving is underneath, so that it can be displayed without all the stuff in-your-face all the time.

 

Hi,
I think it is a collection plate passed in church. The donators name is inscribed on the back.
greg

 

I think it's the other way around, Greg. Mrs. Bryant was given it by the WSCS of Park Place Church.

Plus I can't imagine a church using a sterling piece for the collection. Think about the finger prints, not to mention the coins plinking into a metal container.

 

I agree. It seems like a needless extravagance.

 

I think what Bakersgma said is further borne out by the fact that there is a "B" monogram (for "Bryant"?) in the middle of the circular depression in the middle.

I can't (right off the top of my head) think of a "religious meaning" for the initial "B." Perhaps others can think of a religious connection to the letter "B."

 

You're right, yourturn! I hadn't even seen the B for all the reflections in the picture. Pretty conclusive, I'd say.

 

Park Place Church is probably a Methodist Church because W.S.C.S. is a Methodist women's ministry, Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS). This society was officially formed in 1939 when 3 Methodist churches merged to form The Methodist Church. At that time the "various women home and foreign missionary societies and other women groups of the three uniting churches are joined and became the Women's Society of Christian Service."

Mrs. Bryant may have been a retiring president/chairman of her church's WSCS, and this was a parting gift to her in thanks for her service.

--- Susan

 

I knew that acronym looked familiar, but couldn't think of what the initials stood for beyond the W!

Thanks, Susan!

 

It may be just the angle but I'd call it a bowl rather than a tray.

A tray is dead flat with a raised rim.

 

Hi,
I only mentioned it since the church I worked on in Brooklyn had sterling collection plates for High Holidays. It was written in the church history that the collection plates and their contents were seized by the sheriff on Easter Sunday off the high altar. It was during the years between the world wars when the well off fled the city and the poor where the only members left. They were taken to pay debts. The four plates had the name of the person who donated the money for the plates.
greg

 

What business did "the sheriff" have to do such a thing? If the poor were the only ones left, it certainly couldn't have been much.

 

Hi Bakergma,
He and three deputies came in during mass and removed them. I guess enough of the well heeled crowd returned on Holidays to make it worth his time. I used to pass the church everyday and always thought it closed. One June Sunday I was going passed the church and I heard music and the door was open. I walked in and was amazed at the paintings and statues. I sat in the back during the service. As the Priest and acolytes processed out I toured the amazing workmanship of the inside. It was just like it was in 1911 when it was restored. The stencil work covering the walls and ceiling was incredible I was stunned. As I was looking at everything the Priest came to me and said "Hello". We introduced ourselves and I complemented him on the building interior. He said that he sent there to close down the church but
he said he couldn't do it. There were 12 old and young black people who were members and that was it when he came 6 months before to close the church. In the 6 months since he was there the congregation increased to 23. He then did a very strange thing. He placed his hands on my head and prayed that I would return next Sunday. I told him that my schedule had me working three weekends with one weekend off a month. He looked at me very intently and said "I will see you next week.". I shook my head and left as he was closing the doors. The next day I went into work and found out my director had suddenly left and administration offered me the position. I would no longer be working weekends. The next Sunday I was at mass and the Priest said "I told you, you would be here"
greg

 

Sorry, I've missed the discussion.
I would not call it a bowl. To me, it's more like a sandwitch or other serving tray/plate.