Salver

For the Hungarian wine grape also known as Salver, seeFurmint.

Not to be confused withSalvor.

Some sterling silver salvers produced in the 1730s

Asalveris a flat heavytrayofsilver,othermetalor glass used for carrying or servingglasses,cups,anddishesat a table, or for the presenting of aletterorcardby aservant.In a royal ornoblehousehold the fear ofpoisoningled to the custom of tasting the food or beverage before it was served to the master and his guests; this was known as theassayofmeatand drink, and inSpanishwas calledsalva.

The verbsalvarmeans to preserve from risk, from theLatinsalvare,to save. The termsalvawas also applied to the dish or tray on which the food or drink was presented after the tasting process.There seems no doubt that this Spanish word is the source of theEnglishsalver; a parallel is found in the origin of the termcredenza,which comes from Italian.

A waiter, a small square salver, London, 1732.

Ceremonial salvers have also been used as major sporting trophies, most notably a sterling silver salver as the Ladies' Singles trophy in theWimbledon tennis championshipssince 1886,and, from 1978 onwards, for the runner-up at theMasters Tournament(golf).

References

This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). "Salver".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 24 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 102.