Featured Silverplate butter dish?!?

I purchased a mixed silver lot recently, some coin silver and some plate. This was in it and described as a butter dish. It seems to be a bit overworked to be just a butter dish. Not to mention I’m not sure where the butter goes unless it’s missing something internally? Maybe ice goes in to keep it cold? No drain anywhere. I can’t figure out what’s going on here. I hope someone knows? It weighs over 6lbs and is about 14” handle to handle. Speaking of handles I’d guess it’s missing something/a handle for the lid. The lid is a bit hard to get off without taking the middle piece out with it once it’s on. No marks anywhere on this. Very stoutly made.

 

Short on time, but believe this is a 19th century brazier/warmer/chafer, but would think insulated handles and feet should be present since a hot coal would be in the bottom, water in the second section, plate/dish/bowl of food set on top...

~Cheryl

 

I found some similar but not sure if the accompanying info is correct. They do have wooden handles



https://www.chairish.com/product/93...nd-platter-warmers-with-wood-handles-european

A very nice pair of silver on copper plate food warmers. Food would be place directly on top and served or on a platters that would have kept hot from the hot water inside the container.

DIMENSIONS
13.5ʺW × 8ʺD × 3.5ʺH
PERIOD
Early 19th Century
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
Ireland

 

Thanks SIS and DW! That makes a lot more sense than butter. Also explains why no handle on top and why no sign there had been one. I wonder if a piece is missing that would hold a coal in bottom since no real sign of burns. I wonder if a hot rock would suffice?

I often put my plates or bowls on the flat top range for a minute before eating in the winter. We keep the house cool so the plates instantly make your food cold in the winter. A minute on the range first really helps. I could start using this though!! Lol

 

Ah yeh the photos in your link seem to show a box that would fit in the middle of the base.

 

the handles might have been covered with something that has broken off.

 

Good point!!