What is the purpose of this dish/piece?

First, I am sorry these photos aren't better. My grandmother has a thing for patterns and purchased this because she liked the look of it and thought it was interesting. She has no idea of its purpose, though. I have searched but am getting nowhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Skeansie, can you tell us the size?

 

I'll guess 8" x 8".

 

Welcome!

 

Oh boy, lets see... This item is at her house, but my best estimate is that its no bigger than 6x6 (ish) square.

I am thinking that the tray is there for either drainage purposes or to keep an item out of the liquid below (butter, maybe? With water underneath?)

 

You know, 8x8 isn't an unreasonable guess either. Its not big enough to be a serving dish for say, vegetables or something.

 

Yes.
I'd say so.

 

It could be part of a Victorian style wash set. I believe for soap or sponge.

 

Wondering if it could be a Victorian 'sardine box'. The overall size & shape seem about right. I'm trying to find an image of the inside of one. Did find this:

Majolica sardine boxes are usually rectangular in shape and commonly have an underplate which may be either separate or integral to the dish. Almost all examples have marine themes as their inspiration. The cover of the dish is often decorated with fish, shells or waterfowl which are arranged so as to form the finial. A multitude of designs are known and can be attributed to the major English, American and Continental manufacturers.

 

Any marks?

 

I should have turned it over to get a pic. Unfortunately she lives 3 hours away but I am going to see her in two weeks.

From some research I really am leaning to it being a butter keeper with ice insert, but I could be entirely wrong.

 

SIS is correct.
It is the soap dish from a wash set.

 

Judging by the size it looks like a covered butter dish. You pile up the butter on the drainage plate, surround it with ice, and as the ice melted the water drained through the holes into the dish.

 

See how low into the dish the tray sits? There is no room for ice underneath the tray. Just enough room under the tray for the water to drip off the soap. Soap sitting in water melts.

 

Ice didn't go into the bottom. It was placed on top of and around the butter. The water from the melted ice drained into the bottom.

Butter dishes tend to be around 8" diameter or square, while soap dishes were closer to 4"-6". It would help if OP could provide dimensions. I went by their photo on the kitchen counter.

 

For all these years, I always thought the ice went in the bottom. Least ways that's what grandma did (hers was silver plated) - guess she was wrong and so am I.

 

I can't say which...but do find that the tray sits low for getting at the butter...



Here , the butter is within reach....??? ...???

Oh...& JB......ya gotta read all the posts to find the OP saying....

" Oh boy, lets see... This item is at her house, but my best estimate is that its no bigger than 6x6 (ish) square."

But...I know.....it's a guess....so.....

 

Yes, I read all the posts. Went by the OP's photo on the kitchen counter.

 

I've always been served them on a bed of ice.....that way they didn't stick to one another as the meal wore on.....

 

point taken......photo's can be really deceptive though...