Pressed Brass Fox Hunt Alms Dish
Decorative Object / Charger / Wall Plaque · Unknown manufacturer, likely an English or Continental mass-producer of metalware. These items were widely produced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by various brass-forming companies without specific silversmith lineage.
Pattern: Generic 'Fox Hunt' or 'Gentlemen on Horseback' scene; common in English country house style decor.
Type
Decorative Object / Charger / Wall Plaque
Maker
Unknown manufacturer, likely an English or Continental mass-producer of metalware. These items were widely produced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by various brass-forming companies without specific silversmith lineage.
Material
Brass (an alloy of copper and zinc). Despite the prompt's focus on silver, this item is purely brass/yellow metal with no silver content. It exhibits characteristic gold-toned oxidation rather than silver tarnish.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of 12-14 inches (30-35 cm). Approximate weight is 400-700 grams depending on the gauge of the brass sheet.
Description
A decorative brass charger featuring a high-relief hunting scene. The central medallion depicts two equestrians in traditional hunting attire amidst a pack of foxhounds. The wide rim is decorated with embossed scrolling leaf patterns and floral blooms, finished with a classic gadrooned edge. This piece is meant to evoke the atmosphere of an old English tavern or manor house.
Key Features
Deep golden brass tone; equestrian hunting motif; lightweight stamped construction; gadrooned outer edge; scrolled floral border.
Material & Composition
Brass (an alloy of copper and zinc). Despite the prompt's focus on silver, this item is purely brass/yellow metal with no silver content. It exhibits characteristic gold-toned oxidation rather than silver tarnish.
Finish & Decoration
Machine-pressed with repoussé-style relief. Features a central hunting scene with riders, horses, and hounds, surrounded by a border of scrolls and stylized floral motifs. Finished with a high-shine polish that has aged into a deep patina in the recesses.
Hallmarks & Stamps
None visible in the image. Such items rarely carry hallmarks; they may occasionally have a 'MADE IN ENGLAND' or 'PEERAGE' stamp on the reverse, indicating a 20th-century mass-market origin.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped from a flat sheet of brass. The crispness of the border and the uniformity of the design suggest industrial press-molding rather than hand-chasing or hand-forging.
Functional Features
Purely decorative wall or shelf display piece. May have a small loop soldered to the back for hanging.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable; this is a rimmed charger without handles.
Craftsmanship Details
Moderate quality industrial production. The design strike is clear, but it lacks the depth and variation of true hand-wrought repoussé work. The edges are finished simply to be viewed from the front.
Authentication Indicators
The color is the primary indicator that this is brass, not silver or silver plate. The lack of hallmarks and the thinness of the metal (visible in the crispness of the strike) confirm it as an industrial decorative piece.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United Kingdom or the Netherlands. Cities like Birmingham were hubs for mass-produced brass 'giftware' in this style.
Era & Period
Traditional / Revivalist. While the scene depicts 19th-century motifs, the construction suggests a Mid-20th-century (c. 1940-1970) reproduction of an earlier style.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1970. The condition of the metal and the precision of the stamping are consistent with mid-century home decor imports.
Cultural Significance
Represents the romanticization of the English countryside and traditional blood sports (fox hunting) as a symbol of upper-class heritage and rustic charm.
Condition Notes
Good. Shows moderate atmospheric tarnish and surface oxidation (darkening) in the recessed areas of the design. No significant dents or warping are visible, though some minor scratches consistent with age are likely.
Value Estimate
$20.00 to $45.00. The price tag in the image confirms a retail/charity shop price of $20.00, which is fair market value for this type of decor.
Care & Maintenance
Polish with specialized brass cleaners like Brasso or Wright’s Brass Polish. To maintain the 'antique' look, avoid polishing the dark recesses. Store in a dry environment to prevent verdigris (green corrosion).
Similar Pieces
Brass Alms Dishes from the 17th century (which would be heavier and hand-beaten) or silver-plated chargers (which would be white/grey in color).
Interesting Facts
Items like this were prolific in the mid-century 'Tavern' or 'Pub' decor trend in the US and UK. They were often sold in gift shops and department stores as souvenir 'Olde English' replicas.