An antique silver 18th C French butter dish or tub. The round dish has a vermeil or gold wash interior along with the underside of the lid. The round dish features a laurel wreath handle with lamb's tongue-and-dart banding on the flared rim. The base also features a beaded banding.

The fine piece bears marks for the 18th C and later marks for early 19th C. The lid has marks for 1793-1794 denoted by the the ‘Head of Greek Women’ with the letter P on the left hand side for Paris. It is also marked with the "viellard" or "Michel-Angel including the number #1 for .950 silver. The base is marked for Paris (woman’s head), the viellard mark, and a crab mark. No maker's mark noted. The combination of marks could indicate the butter dish was in production during the earlier time frame ( 1793-94) , completed later, and marked accordingly. Or the villard marks could be an indication the bowl and lid were remarked verifying the the silver content at a later date.

Measurements; 6” in diameter at widest point, 5 ¼” high, weight, 11.67 troy ounces or 363 grams.

Condition Report; Very good, some loss to gold wash, one dimple on the side. These are all in accordance with age and use. One small discreet repair to the silver bowl. In picture # 3 there is a small spot on left side just above the hallmark which is on the foot of the bowl.