Recoral Silver Plated Scalloped Tray or Serving Vessel
Hollowware (Tray, Platter, or Serving Dish Component) · Recoral, a Lebanese manufacturer of silver-plated tableware. While not a major international brand like Tiffany or Christofle, it represents mid-to-late 20th-century Middle Eastern production of European-style service items.
Pattern: Traditional Scalloped Edge; identifiable by its rhythmic undulating rim and polished well. Specific collection name unknown, likely a standard high-polish production line.
Type
Hollowware (Tray, Platter, or Serving Dish Component)
Maker
Recoral, a Lebanese manufacturer of silver-plated tableware. While not a major international brand like Tiffany or Christofle, it represents mid-to-late 20th-century Middle Eastern production of European-style service items.
Material
Silver Plate (likely Electroplated Nickel Silver or Brass). The visible yellowish-red tint near the screw hole and areas of heavy tarnish suggests a base metal of brass or copper that has been exposed as the silver plating wears thin.
Dimensions
Estimated length 12-16 inches. The item appears to be of standard serving weight; however, the presence of a threaded screw hole indicates it may have been part of a multi-tiered stand or had an attached handle.
Description
This Recoral serving piece features a classic scalloped rim design that catches the light through its broad, polished surfaces. Manufactured in Lebanon, it exemplifies the mid-century trend of producing accessible luxury tableware through electroplating. The piece is designed for versatility, originally serving as part of a larger assembly, likely a tiered dessert stand or a handled vanity tray.
Key Features
The distinctive 'Recoral' Lebanese maker's mark and the presence of a structural threaded mounting hole are the primary identifying characteristics.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (likely Electroplated Nickel Silver or Brass). The visible yellowish-red tint near the screw hole and areas of heavy tarnish suggests a base metal of brass or copper that has been exposed as the silver plating wears thin.
Finish & Decoration
High mirror polish finish with a scalloped or 'pie-crust' wavy rim. The decoration is minimal, relying on the structural curves of the edge rather than surface engraving, typical of mid-century commercial hollowware.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped with a manufacturer mark featuring 'Recoral' in stylized script, below which is 'MADE IN LEBANON'. It lacks purity marks (like 925 or a Lion Passant), confirming it is silver plate rather than solid sterling silver.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or spun from a flat sheet of base metal. A central or peripheral hole has been drilled and fitted with a threaded nut, which is a common feature in tiered petit four stands or trays with removable central handles.
Functional Features
Includes a threaded attachment hole for a handle or a vertical support rod. The scalloped edges prevent liquids from spilling easily while providing a decorative grip area.
Handle & Grip Details
The handle is currently missing. The visible threaded hole suggest it originally featured a screw-in handle, likely made of cast zinc or brass with silver plating, or possibly a wooden grip.
Craftsmanship Details
Commercial grade. The scalloping is uniform, indicating a die-stamping process. The soldering around the threaded nut on the reverse is functional but lacks the refinement found in high-end luxury silversmithing.
Authentication Indicators
The stamp is crisp and original to the piece. The wear patterns (revealing a yellow base metal) are consistent with electroplated items of this age. The construction is industrial rather than hand-wrought.
Origin & Manufacturing
Lebanon. Lebanese silversmithing has a long history, but this specific piece reflects the modern industrial era where factories produced silver-plated items for the regional and export markets.
Era & Period
Mid-Century to Late 20th Century (c. 1960-1980). The design is a revival of traditional European baroque scalloping, common in mass-produced hospitality and home giftware of this era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970s. The typography of the 'Made in Lebanon' stamp and the mechanical nature of the threaded fitting are consistent with late 20th-century manufacturing.
Cultural Significance
Represents the globalization of silver-plating technology and the adoption of Western-style formal dining aesthetics in Lebanese post-colonial manufacturing.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There are significant surface scratches and 'spidering' in the finish. Visible 'bleeding' (brassy tint) near the center suggests plating loss. A heavy dark tarnish film is present on the underside. Missing its original handle or stand component.
Value Estimate
$15 - $35 USD. The value is limited by the fact that it is silver plate rather than sterling, its missing components (handle/stand), and the visible wear to the plating.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid abrasive scrubbers which will further remove the thin silver layer and expose the brass base. Store in a dry environment to prevent further oxidation of the base metal.
Similar Pieces
Comparable to silver-plated trays by International Silver or Oneida, though those would carry American hallmarks. Recoral pieces are generally valued slightly lower due to less brand recognition in Western markets.
Interesting Facts
Recoral items are frequently found in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean households, often sold as wedding gifts or part of elaborate coffee service sets during the mid-to-late 20th century.