Q: My mother-in-law had this silver tray. On the back it says “Lord Saybrook Intl Sterling.” The tray is 19 1/2 by 14 inches and has small legs. What was it used for?
A: You have a “well and tree” meat platter. The juices from the meat run down the “limbs” of the tree into the well and can be used to baste the meat to keep it moist. Your platter is meant to be used to serve the roast. There are well and tree platters made of other materials that can be used in the oven or broiler when cooking meat. Lord Saybrook is a pattern made by International Silver in 1959. Your platter would retail for about $300.
Oops. Sorry we were not clear. The company name says silver. The platter is probably silver plate as all of you said. Very few solid silver platters were made in the U.S. in the 1900s because they were expensive and heavy.
Terry
OOps, I have to go look. I thought it was S.P.
It is silver plate. I have one.
I have a similiar platter but slightly different shape. Says Sheffield Reporduction and at the other end lots of symbols and numbers. Anyone know anything about these?
I imagine that unless this piece is paper thin, any 19.5 inch platter of sterling is going to be worth significantly more than $300 in scrap alone. Just saying…
I was very interested in seeing your platter. I have a very similar one that is 17.5 x 13 inches with small legs. The outer rim is different and mine says “Lakewood” by Oneida Community ltd. I would imagine it is about the same vintage, but would be curious to know more.