Asprey item. What is it ?

[patgc]

Have aquired this pretty item. It is made by ASPREY London, Made in England and I thought it was a posy holder, but now not sure as the bowl part seems very open to hold flowers and with the chain, where would you hang it ? Thought about a chataleine but the water would spill. Any thoughts ?

[silvermakersmarks]

This question has come up elsewhere and the consensus is that it is a drip catcher for a decanter. The curved top should keep the lip close to where the drips run down from the spout of the decanter or jug.

Phil

[patgc]

Oh ok, yes I can see that working. Looking on the net, can't find much at all to compare it with though, so maybe they're quite rare. Its hallmark is quite rubbed but I think its Birmingham 1929. Can't find anything more about it though.

[Traintime]

No chance this has something to do with "holy water"?

[silvermakersmarks]

That was one of the suggestions but was discounted because of the small size.

[patgc]

Silvermakersmarks, could you link me to the previous discussion about a similar object please. Thank you

[dognose]

Hi Patgc,

Here is the link to the previous discussion on the SMP forum:

http://www.smpub.com/ubb/Forum26/HTML/001975.html

Trev.

[patgc]

Many thanks for the link. It caused a good discussion but no definate conclusion. It does look right on the Cognac bottle though but would think it would be a nuisance when you poured the drink and it would have to be positioned precisely to catch any drips. So maybe the jury is still out on this one. Pity Asprey never replied.

[dognose]

At last, a concrete answer:


Eugene Geraut & Co. - London - 1900

Trev.

[Traintime]

See, "holy water" was right...the water comes right out of that hole at the end of the spout. Available to every denomination of "religious drinkers"! No striking of stone required.

[AG2012]

Oh the moon shone bright on Mrs Porter
And on her daughter
They wash their feet in soda water
Et O ces voix d’enfants, chantant dans la coupole.

T.S.Eliot:The Waste land