Whether you refer to them as meat domes or meat cloches, they are exquisite serving pieces. And when one of these domes adds it's glowing patina to a vignette, well as you will see in the images below, they are quite stunning.
Meat domes were made in silver or silver plate and were designed for covering large platters of game in order to protect the food and retain the heat. They are normally oval and have a matching platter with well for collecting the natural juices. Meat domes vary in size, but average around 11 X 23 inches.
Meat domes were made in silver or silver plate and were designed for covering large platters of game in order to protect the food and retain the heat. They are normally oval and have a matching platter with well for collecting the natural juices. Meat domes vary in size, but average around 11 X 23 inches.
An elegant meat dome will guarantee a dinner served in style. However, when not in use these meat domes make stunning decorations in the kitchen or dining room. Use them singularly or in a collection. I love them used in multiples but they are getting harder to find and do not come cheap by any means. I have one but am always on the lookout for more bargain meat domes. But when you are a collector, that is half the fun anyway!
I hope you enjoy the images of these lovely silver domes proudly displayed.......as they should be!
When Queen Victoria took the throne in 1837 it began a reformation of family life that continued throughout her 63-year reign. Even the food served on dining tables changed and the way it was presented became more formalized. It was referred to as "laying a cloth" and Victorian ladies simply HAD to be successful at it.
Dining like a Victorian meant an elegant table setting complete with fine serving pieces. Guests enjoyed meals in a well appointed dining room, with an amazing amount of porcelain and sterling serving dishes overflowing with delicacies. And, of course, all sorts of game was presented in silver meat domes to be carved on splendid sideboards.
Some of us still like to set a beautiful table when having guests over for dinner. The silver meat dome can be as useful as it is charming. I am pleased to hear that Millennials are now choosing to entertain at home more and are actually searching out pretty antique china, stemware, and silver serving pieces.
Lisa Farmer-Eye For Design
These are my meat domes and trays in a corner of my dining room. I love the handle. It features oak leaves and acorns. The smaller one is silver silver repousse with grapes and foliage.
Lisa Farmer-Eye For Design
Another view of my dining room with meat domes.
A meat dome will be the focal point on any dining table. Most sit atop flat trays but this one has a beautiful footed tray with an extra deep well.
Meat domes have a look that really works with simple old world French Provincial interiors.
I like just enough patina to make them look aged. I will shine mine if I am going to use it for something special but usually leave it with a bit of patina.
Like these wonderful French tapestry chairs, a meat dome instantly brings a casual elegance to an interior.
Silver meat domes whose finishes have aged to almost look like pewter are fabulous too and especially look good in Swedish/Gustavian interiors.
via Pinterest
via Pinterest
These meat domes may even be pewter....it's hard to tell.
Some people prefer to display their meat domes in the kitchen.
I think this is a beautiful meat dome.
You might prefer a meat dome with repousse decoration. Repousse is a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is ornamented or shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief.
The trend today is to collect and display meat domes in groups. Try collecting different sizes and display them on a great table like this French pastry table.
via Pinteret
Meat domes mix well with so many other antique collectibles.
I am looking for one of these melon shaped meat domes. I just love the look of them.
via Pinterest
Many meat domes feature family coat of arms and other engraved armorial.
I love authentic old world kitchens and you see silver meat domes in many of them.
Meat domes lined up in the kitchen of Lanhydrock House, Cornwall.
Here an antique English dessert trolley is used to house a collection of silver meat domes.
If you are interested, you can find silver meat domes in antique shops, collectibles markets, auctions, and on line at places like Ebay and Etsy.
via Pinterest
Or maybe a dome will show up in a box of stuff in a Goodwill or Salvation Army. One never knows!
via Pinterest
via Pinterest
These silver domes are the perfect accessory for a creamy old world farmhouse vignette.
Swedish style sampler in the background sets the stage for this vignette featuring a couple of silver pheasants and a great silver meat dome.
The owner of this English cottage has added a collection of meat domes above their Staffordshire collection. These could be molds, it's hard to tell. Either way, I can go along with displaying a collection of domes like this.
However, some people are making pendant lights out of them or even attaching meat domes to the wall, upside down, and making planters out of them. Sorry, but I couldn't bear to post an image. Please, not everything has to be repurposed!!
Silver meat domes in architect Mark Maresca's antiques filled Charleston home.
Silver meat domes really shine at Christmas.
These domes are just beautiful when incorporated into your holiday decor.
Meat dome heaven!!! From the Chatsworth House "attic sale" on Sotheby's in October.
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This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer