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Brass Dish

mrsghjun

proper brummie kid
Hi can anyone throw any light on who the maker of this extraordinary brass tray might be, it has 'HB' stamped on the bottom, it is likely the bottom of a lamp of some sort. I wonder if it might be Herbert Bushell? It's such beautiful brass and copper work it must have come from Brum! (Bit biased my forebears are Brummies). It has been beautifully polished for me by MA Polishing in Birmingham, it came out of my m-i'l's shed and it was totally black(!)
 

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Hi mrsghjun,

They've done a lovely job of the polishing.

Difficult to tell the size from the pic but as the centre appears to have
no threads, could it perhaps be the centre of a Lazy Susan?

Kind regards
Dave
 
Hi mrsghjun,

They've done a lovely job of the polishing.

Difficult to tell the size from the pic but as the centre appears to have
no threads, could it perhaps be the centre of a Lazy Susan?

Kind regards
Dave
Rather jokingly we said maybe it's a Doritos and salsa dish LOL, no threads on the middle bit.
 
They are silver makers. We need brass I guess.
It seems clear that what ever was located in the centre was removable. I wonder if it was a form of table lighter (not the sort kept on occasional tables or in pockets).
 
Is it possible to put a photo on the forum showing the HB mark? There are several makers who used HB (some were primarily silver makers but some used several metals) but all wrote the letters differently.
 
Is it possible to put a photo on the forum showing the HB mark? There are several makers who used HB (some were primarily silver makers but some used several metals) but all wrote the letters differently.
Yes will do just waiting for it to come back from Brum.
 
Once we establish what it is - assuming we do - then the title of the thread will need changing as it certainly not a dish.
Its dimensions would be a help in the search. It could be, as suggested in post 2, a form of lazy susan but particulaly for using and placing a Game Pie at table.
 
Once we see the initials on the object we can look at that link Eric.

Initially I though flowers might have been in a glass receptacle in the centre, but the animals threw me off that scent. ;)
 
Once we establish what it is - assuming we do - then the title of the thread will need changing as it certainly not a dish.
Its dimensions would be a help in the search. It could be, as suggested in post 2, a form of lazy susan but particulaly for using and placing a Game Pie at table.
Thanks Alan as soon as it's back with me I'll put some dimensions on for you and the makers mark. Thanks for your help.
 
As it's hunting, shooting etc. I wonder if it could be a very posh inkstand from a country house. The ink well itself would have fitted in the centre and could have been brass or glass, removal for cleaning. There are lots of ornate ink stands on the internet but none like this one.
 
Don't think so MA Polishing say it's brass and a whole mix of other metals.
I ask because you originally said 'it was totally black', which could be the case if it had been silver-plated brass. Let's see what the other side reveals!
 
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So here's the tray back from its' trip to Brum, beautifully restored by the incredibly helpful MA Polishing, can't believe how wonderful it looks. It measures 16" x 13" so it feels too big for an ink stand to me. Makers mark photo also attached.
 

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In my book of maker's marks there are two almost identical to that on your item.
A London maker Henry Brind mid 18th century 'Good run of the mill' products
And an Edinburgh maker Harry Breathune, early 18th century.
 
I have a pair of brass dishes with a tale to tell. I was told that they were wedding presents for my parents in 1934. Apparently, some of the same design were made especially for the firm's owner. So these are what I would call 'foreigners'. Tut!

They are identical, top and bottom and about 13 cm at the widest. Underneath there is what appears to be a design number, C 1185. The maker's mark is an isosceles triangle inside a circle. Inside the triangle are three, indistinct smudges, possibly letters. The middle one might be &.

I cannot remember how they were used. Perhaps intended for hair grips and other bits and pieces on a lady's dressing table.View attachment 139860BrassGirl.jpg
 
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