Georgian mahogany plate pail

Georgian mahogany plate pail, brass bound, with folding cast brass bow carrying handle, now with tole liner of later date.
The long passages which frequently separated kitchen and dining room in eighteenth century homes made the carrying of plates a formidable task for servants.  To facilitate transport, mahogany pails were produced, the open section to enable the plates to be readily handled.  

In 1769, Chippendale’s firm supplied Sir Edward Knatchbull with ‘a neat mahogany plate basket with brass bow handle.’

English circa 1780 - 1800.