Silver-Plated Three-Compartment Relish Dish

This item is a silver-plated three-compartment relish dish, likely used for serving appetizers, nuts, candies, or condiments. The dish is irregularly shaped, resembling a three-leaf clover or a tri-lobed design, with each compartment smoothly curved and distinct. A small handle, ornately decorated with what appears to be a rococo or Baroque-inspired scrolling foliage motif, connects two of the compartments. The material is a metallic silver-colored alloy with a discernible luster underneath a significant layer of tarnish. The tarnish exhibits a brown to dark brown coloration, particularly heavy in the recessed areas and corners of the compartments, indicating age and lack of recent polishing. There are no visible maker's marks or stamps in the provided image, suggesting potential wear or that they may be located on the underside. The overall craftsmanship appears to be cast metal, with smooth edges and a uniform finish beneath the tarnish. The style points to a mid-20th-century aesthetic, possibly from the 1940s to 1960s, though earlier or later periods are not entirely ruled out without more specific markings. The condition suggests regular use without significant physical damage like dents or cracks, though the severe tarnishing is a primary condition issue that affects its current aesthetic appeal. The presence of such heavy tarnish indicates that the item is indeed silver or silver-plated, as base metals do not tarnish in this manner.