Mystery sterling

[AlisonCross]

Does anybody know the original purpose of this small sterling cup with an opening in the base and matching stand? (Part of a full set.) Photos below. There are also matching bowls and saucers visible in the background of one of the photos. The bowls have openings in their bases, too.

[oel]

Cup and bowls are missing some sort of (glass) liners. Perhaps used for serving soup/ sauces or desserts.



Peter.

[AlisonCross]

Hi Peter-- That makes sense. Any idea what the stand under the cup was for? All the cups in the set are on the same stands.
Thanks,
Alison

[silverly]

Welcome to the forum. If you're interested the trademark looks like Frank W Smith Silver Co. https://www.925-1000.com/americansilver_S5.html

[JLDoggett]

I don't think they go together, they are stylistically so different; it is too tall to be stable; they don't appear to fit together very well, nor is there a solid connection joining them. The handled part is either a demitasse or tea cup which should have a glass liner. The remaining base looks to be part of a salt/pepper shaker.

[AlisonCross]

Hi JLD,

I know what you mean about the proportions and the awkwardness, but all 12 cups in the service come with the same stand. No saucers. And they "lock" together. Hence the mystery! Any glass liners are long gone.

Alison

[AlisonCross]

Welcome to the forum. If you're interested the trademark looks like Frank W Smith Silver Co. https://www.925-1000.com/americansilver_S5.html

Dear Silverly,

Thank you! That looks exactly right. Much appreciated,

Alison

[JLDoggett]

The handled item is very rococo in style. what you are calling a base is mid-century modern, If intended to go together there would be stylistic similarities between the two pieces IE. a matching knurled band on the "base" to match the handled part. The "base" has far too small a foot to be stable with that cup-holder on top, even less so with a glass liner, and impossibly unstable with any liquid in it. In your first photo they junction is very awkward and looks like it does not align well. As for locking together the bottom of the handled piece may fit the top While you may have 12 of each, that does not mean they were intended to go together. In looking again at your photographs the "base" appears to be a cordial.

A quick search turned up many images of cordials that match yours. The same happens if you search for silver tea cup holders.

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

Can you add images of the marks on the cups and bowls.

Trev.

[AG2012]

Hi,
Tea cup holder, glass insert missing; no controversy here.
Regards

[AlisonCross]

Thank you, JLD! Your expert explanation is so sound and specific. Mystery resolved. Must have been a space-saving choice in the cabinets. I appreciate the time you took to answer this.

The handled item is very rococo in style. what you are calling a base is mid-century modern, If intended to go together there would be stylistic similarities between the two pieces IE. a matching knurled band on the "base" to match the handled part. The "base" has far too small a foot to be stable with that cup-holder on top, even less so with a glass liner, and impossibly unstable with any liquid in it. In your first photo they junction is very awkward and looks like it does not align well. As for locking together the bottom of the handled piece may fit the top While you may have 12 of each, that does not mean they were intended to go together. In looking again at your photographs the "base" appears to be a cordial.

A quick search turned up many images of cordials that match yours. The same happens if you search for silver tea cup holders.