Antique James E Blake Sterling Silver Reticulated Filigree Tray Dish

Late 19th to early 20th century sterling silver serving tray / dish, item number 1713, by James E. Blake & Company. Square serpentine shape with rounded corners and sides ruffled upward. Pierced leaf motif with etched foliate shields at the corners and engraved initial M at the center.

“James E. Blake was born 8 Jun 1851 in Chicopee, MA. He worked from 1880 to 1881 as a silversmith in Attleboro, MA for Sturdy Brothers & Co. He was a partner from circa 1881/1889 until 1898 with Albert Wilbur Sturdy and Edward P. Chaflin as Blake & Chaflin, successors to Sturdy Brothers & Co, the result of a controlling interest buy out of the company. This partnership is noted in the 1892 Attleboro directory, with their bookkeeper noted as Ezekiel Blake. James married Ella Judson Sturdy, daughter of Charles H. Sturdy and Eliza J. Hodges, on 28 May 1882. He worked from 1898 to circa 1936/1938 as a manufacturer in Attleboro, MA as James E. Blake & Co. In the 1903 Attleboro Directory, James E Blake is listed as the president of the company, William H Blake is the secretary and Ezekiel Blake is the treasurer. The James E Blake Co incorporated in 1922 and was in business until circa 1938. Judging by the U S Federal Census’s, William and Ezekiel are both James’ older brothers. Blake’s was a large and prosperous firm, manufacturing a wide range of sterling and silverplate goods including match safes, vanity sets, novelty cork screws, etc.” (Source: RootsWeb – American Silversmiths / SM Publications – Silver Salon Forums)

Dimensions:
8.5″ x 8.5″ x 1.25″ (Width x Depth x Height) / 203 g