18th Century Baroque Style Baptismal Charger in Brass

Charming Florentine Gold Leaf Bowl on a pedestal from Italy. This scalloped piece is the kind of thing you can find a use for in each room of the house. This bowl could certainly fu...

Stunning collection of three wooden Florentine trays from the 1960’s. These highly collectable pieces are both form and function. This set includes 2 round and one oval tray with han...

With deeply molded body with central inner scrolled design. The outer with stamped decoration.

A Large German Repousse Brass Alms Dish, 17th Century These dishes were originally used as everyday flatware by the wealthy during the Medieval period, serving for food or for holding water for hand-washing. They also served as a display of wealth and status. When they went out of fashion in the later 17th century, many were donated to churches and used as collection plates, which is how they acquired the name "alms dishes". Purpose: While historically used for collecting donations for the poor and charitable purposes, they were also commonly used as offertory plates in churches for collecting offerings during services. Historical Use: In medieval times, these brass dishes served as everyday flatware for the wealthy, used for food or holding jugs for hand-washing. They also served as displays of wealth and status. Transition to Alms Dishes: When they fell out of fashion as domestic items in the later 17th century, many were donated to churches and used as collection plates, leading to the name "alms dishes". Decorative Function: European paintings of home interiors...