Chafing Dish
John Burt
c. 1730
Medium
Silver and wood
Dimensions
10.2 × 15.2 × 30.5 cm (4 3/8 × 6 7/8 × 12 1/8 in.)
Classification
dish (vessel)
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
78611
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Chafing dishes were common in the colonies and closely resemble their English counterparts. The interior plate held hot coals, and the chafing dish was probably fitted with a small tray that rested on the scroll supports and supported a kettle or pot. The decorative pierced work around the rim of the dish allowed the heat of the coals to warm the tray. The hoof foot is typical of New England chafing dishes of the period.