Salver 19th century

This striking salver was created by Elkington & Co., a firm prominent from 1829 to 1963, working in silver and gold. The image on the salver revives classical mythology, showing Arion being rescued by a dolphin. This imagery would have appealed to the sensibilities of the elites of the British Empire at the height of its power. Such items were displayed as a celebration of that power. Silver, like other precious metals, has always served as a highly visible store of wealth. Serving vessels of this kind would have been central to rituals of hospitality and display. The social history of objects like this helps us understand how wealth and power operate. Auction catalogs, inventories of estates, and even novels can reveal the cultural meanings attached to them.