Spanish Colonial Silver Platter, 18th Century

Unknown, possibly Mexico

Silver | Item 2184

This is a beautiful silver platter showing good age to the surface. The platter is likely hammered out, where as the handles are cast. The rim shows a complex system of direct punch impressions. An elongated triangle is topped with a small, circle punch. Inside the triangle are three, fine dots below three thin, elongated leaf like shapes. Between each triangle is a small, punched, file mark showing a series of parallel lines also shaped as a triangle, but flipped relative to the main triangle. The most outer rim has a punch mark showing 2 tro 3 parallel lines circulating the entire rim.

The handles are ornately executed with a human face on center followed by two arms curving outwards that are highly decorated with punched designs. An early type hinge attaches the handle to the plate. The backside of the plate shows many more inperfections formed by being hammered out.