Antique Silver-Plated Table Crumber Silent Butler

This is an antique silent butler, also known as a table crumber, typically used for clearing crumbs and ash from a dining table. The piece features a rectangular hinged lid with a decorative gadrooned or rope-twist border and a central heraldic crest depicting a rampant lion. The construction utilizes silver-plated copper or brass, evidenced by the significant 'bleeding' where the underlying base metal is visible through the worn silver plating. A distinctive shell-shaped thumb lift facilitates opening the lid. The handle is crafted from a dark, reddish-toned turned wood, likely mahogany or stained beech, secured by a metal ferrule. The condition shows heavy patina, oxidation, and extensive surface wear consistent with age and regular use. The overall style is reminiscent of Victorian or early 20th-century English silverplate, designed for formal domestic service. There are no clearly visible maker's marks from this angle, but the craftsmanship of the chasing and the heraldic engraving suggests a mass-produced yet quality household item from the late 19th to early 20th century.