Entrée Dishes are always, when at their best, ripe with well-conceived and well-balanced ornament. The illustration (p. [233]) shows a specimen, one of a set of four, with delightful design. The richly ornamented rims and the finely considered balance in regard to the double-tier effect make this especially acceptable. The cover has a finely ribbed effect which catches the play of light and displays its full effect and the ribs are so unobtrusive as almost to escape notice, but the full bodied effect is carried out to perfection.
Another example of a later date, 1825, stands on its fine perforated ornament in the body. The feet are somewhat close together, and are made to appear more so by the dome-like cover swelling almost pear-shaped to an apex decorated by a cone. It is an unusual form, and free, notwithstanding its idiosyncrasies, from the glaring evils of elaborate and feeble decoration found at a slightly later date which impoverished design for the next thirty years.
OLD SHEFFIELD PLATED ENTRÉE DISH.
One of four, with heavy ornament of scroll design. Date 1815.
(By courtesy of Walter H. Willson, Esq.)
OLD SHEFFIELD PLATED ENTRÉE DISH.
With bulbous cover surmounted by rose. Date 1825.