Adolf Hitler, Large Informal Oval Serving Tray from the Berghof

Description

Adolf Hitler, Large Informal Oval Serving Tray from the Berghof

A Superb, large oval silver plated serving tray, produced by Wellner, for use at Adolf Hitler’s residences, in this case the Berghof.

The tray is oval, with a rounded raised rim edge, and a convex slope down to the flat tray.
The tray features a partially openned/spread winged Reich’s Eagle with wreathed Swastika straddled by the letters A and H to the lower edge of the tray. To the upper/opposite edge is found the stamped ‘Wellner’ maker’s mark, below which is a small stamping ’75’ indicating the silver content.
This informal tray would have been used, probably, on a daily basis to serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, at the Berghof, to the guests, including of course Hitler himself when he was in residence. The tray was ‘liberated’ by a Berghof kitchen worker at the end of the war in 1945, this was a common practice among Berghof, and other Third Reich establishment employees, as they knew no more wages would be coming their way for a while.
Without doubt this is another one of those ‘If it could talk’ pieces!

Condition:

The tray displays surface marks and scratches, knife scores, indicating that food/meat had been cut while on the tray, and a few small ‘dings’. The up side has been polished but still displays some deep patina, the reverse is uncleaned and very tarnished and with in-patina finger prints and marks. In overall excellent well used condition, and a beautiful display piece. Incredibly rare serving tray from Hitler’s Home.

Dimensions:

Length 53cm

Width 41cm

Depth 2cm

Eagle Motif 3cm x 2.5cm

Weight:

1.9kg

All weights and measurements are approximate.