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Keith Murray for Mappin & Webb Art Deco silver plated covered dish

This very elegant Art Deco silver plated covered dish was designed by Keith Murray for Mappin & Webb. The lid is tiered with a black bakelite finial and the rim of the dish shaped base has the incised circles so typical of Murray's designs. The base has an removable internal plate. Hot water would have been poured into the base, the plate placed over it, the food placed on the plate and the lid placed over the food to keep in the warmth generated by the hot water beneath the plate. Originally probably used for serving buttered muffins it could however be used for cheese or butter substituting ice for hot water in the bottom of the dish. Alternatively it would make a wonderful caviar dish! Style, practicality and usefulness all in one lovely object. It is signed on the base "Triple Deposit Mapin & Webb Prince's Plate London & Sheffield W 27699". There is a shield shaped cartouche containing the letter "K" which is a date letter. Lower down on the base are the words & letters "R675 Rd 772183".

Approximate dimensions:
Weight: 1lb 12 7/8ozs - 820gms
Height: 14.5cms - 5 1/2ins
Width: 19.2cms - 7 1/2ins


Keith Day Pearce Murray was born in New Zealand but came to England when he was 14. He qualified as an architect but turned his hand to illustrating before becoming a full time designer. He worked on a freelance basis for the glass makers Steven & Williams and then for Wedgwood pottery and his designs in metal were created for Mappin & Webb. In 1936 he was appointed architect in charge of designing Wedgwood's new factory in Burlaston and he returned to architecture after the war.