What is the purpose of this dish/piece?

I just pull the lid off and set it on the table.

 

Where does the water go...???

 

Spreadable butter is slimy.

I agree on butter dish. Soap dishes were usually ridged as well.

 

It is a Berry Dish. The holes served to drain the juices and keep the berries from getting soggy. They were popular around the middle of the 19th century.

 

Thus the staining.......or so I'd think........YAY WALTER !!!!!

 

Walter, for as much as I respect your authority on pottery and porcelain, I even own your book, but could you provide some documentation, a catalog page or something, that this is a berry dish? I've never seen a berry dish like this. I can't seem to find one. There are plenty of examples of covered butter dishes and covered soap dishes, both with drainers, but no covered berry dishes with drainers.

 

Ohhhhh, questioning Walter !!!
Well, I guess you're within your rights !!

 

I hope I haven't offended anyone. I was just browsing the old Higgins & Seiter catalogs from the late 1800's-early 1900's and all their examples of berry bowls in porcelain and glass are just open bowls. Nothing covered or with a drainer. Searching Google shows this type of covered dish was made into the 20th century.

 

I believe this is a T&R Boote pattern called Tournay if that helps.

 

Here's an interpretation I don't think anyone suggested. Bun warmer. (I'm not sure about that). If the brown one is of similar size, this seller says it's 5" I believe.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1880s-Tournay-royal-prenium-T-amp-R-Boote-england-Ceramic-bun-warmer-1905-/182982706671?hash=item2a9a9e85ef:g:Vw0AAOSwJb9WqCz2&nma=true&si=R1vIjwrlETIwq9zxIyeIptTZpS4%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

I'd have guessed a soap dish too, but I've never seen one with a lid.

 

Yay, you found it! I think bun warmer is a stretch, but soap dish in that dimension is more likely. Knowing dimensions makes a world of difference.

 

Oh lord, I'm going to disagree with Walter. Berry strainers have far more holes and are distinctly indented or hollowed out.

Bun warmer, I think not. Butter, I do think.

 

Walter is one of our best go to guys.....and berry dish had me seeing stars....although...I can't say for sure what the hell it actually was meant for..so I'm flip phlopping....all over the map......
That said,.....you'd have to go a country mile further to offend anyone here....just asking for clarification !!!

It's all good !!

 

SIS nice find. I agree with your assessment - NOT a bun warmer.
If as she says they were placed in front of everyone's plate, with as many china services as were made, there would be a lot more of them floating around.

I typed in Transferware bun warmer and only got silverplate warmers.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Eng...q5LZAhVkxoMKHc-7D-EQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1328&bih=868