Featured A nod to the silver gods...

Good Afternoon Everyone!

This was quite an unexpected chance for me to post today, and it certainly is one of my favorite posts in 2022 so far. I had a chance to get out and visit 6 different stores today, and the silver gods were clearly smiling down on me. I picked up this tray at the first Goodwill!!!! I love the feeling when I managed to uncover an absolute treasure in plain view of anyone going through the store... I can't say I was upset with the price of the piece. I'll try to find some time in my schedule later today to start the polishing, it's a monster in my book, weighs approximately 1350 grams.

 

Three bucks for a pound of silver? I'd have run off with that too! At mine I can't even get stainless for that. The palm tree and swords... Libya?

 

Almost three pounds

Oooh Libya, I hadn't considered that yet!

 

Wheeee - a buck a pound? DANG. Don't I wish.

 

Googled it. Saudi Arabia (duh).

 

Where do you think this was made, Nate?

 

I'm not sure yet, but I recall when I had the Indian Teaset from last year we were talking about the significance of Peacocks in Hinduism...I'll try to research later tonight, but I guess it's an interesting clue that the silver marks are in english, I would expect that's less common for middle eastern pieces?

 

it would certainly be odd, but not impossible if it's older. The Brits were all over the place for a while.

 

It's certainly Saudi Arabia, but not when we were there. That emblem is no earlier than 1950.

It's quite common for Middle Eastern countries to use English.

 

Do you know what the R T stands for, Bear?

 

As promised, my favorite part, the polished photos! Thank you very much @Ownedbybear for confirming the country and time period, that is very helpful.

PS: There's a small chance I'll have a new post tomorrow, no promises yet, I'm waiting for one package to arrive, and I'm also hopefully completing an in person pickup.

 

Great find!

 

Unreal!

 

I agree! It doesn't matter how many times I find treasure, I'm always pinching myself when it happens again!

 

Mr N8.....I luv your finds......and I luv silver......
but this is getting ridiculous .........

good 4 U , Sir !!!!!

 

I'm thinking about the R T.

I did have one thought: much Emirati or Saudi sold silver was and is made in India.

 

Great find again, Nate!!!

Saudi Arabia is Islamic, and there are many layers of peacock symbolism in different schools of Islam, from superficial to deeply mystical. But I suspect none of them are used in Salafism.
I think in this case the peacock simply refers to royalty, an important factor in Saudi state identity.

It is reminiscent of certain Indian styles, but it also has a slight Persian vibe. Of course northern Indian silver often has an Indo-Persian influence.

Just a thought, could be wrong: Maybe the R stand for Riyal, as in the Saudi coin?

 

Thank you, and I do agree lately it’s been amazing.

 

That’s a very helpful explanation. I was searching online and struggling to find comparable pieces from Saudi Arabia. I personally feel it’s closer to Indian works I’ve seen than Persian; much of the Persian pieces emphasize tighter patterns of scroll/engraving work.

 

WOWZA!!! I never find anything like this at Goodwill! What a great piece!!!! Congrats!