Posted 8 years ago
ShellyB
(1 item)
I found this at a local thrift shop and the gal said she picked it up at an auction. She had no idea what it was. I assumed it was an egg pan of some sort. I am just not sure I can put this item over a direct flame or if it was used merely as a warming container. It appears to be stainless steel-not aluminum. There are no dates or other markings except for the embossing on the lid and it states "Made in Italy" on the bottom. It is a 6" pan with a 5" wooden handle.
It isn't a skillet. It's a "Silent Butler".
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-footed-silver-silent-butler-crumb-catcher-made-in-Italy-etched-/252319516956
https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/42221315233295123/
Correct - it is a "silent butler" - a form of Ashtray. The original use was that as folks smoked, (after a meal particularly men with cigars) the butler could come up from the side unobtrusively, open the lid by pressing on the raised piece on the lid with his thumb - the smoker would tap the ash - the butler close the lid, move away and the conversation would go on uninterrupted. Look it up under Smoking Accessories and the like (along with lighters, pipes, cigarette holders, match and cigarette boxes, etc.) It is NOT made for food use!