Tomato Servers. You got it, special flat “spoons” or paddles to serve sliced tomatoes from a crystal platter. I had frankly never heard of them before; never knew they existed until I saw and photographed 
these fantastic pieces with patterns cut out on the paddle. It always seemed awkward to me to pierce the sliced tomatoes and mozzarella on my own serving platters, but I never thought someone about 100 years ago would have thought to design an implement precisely for that purpose. I didn’t know tomatoes were even that popular at the turn of the 19th century in the United States! If my chicken scratch notes and fading memory are correct, I think my sister said (she will update or correct in the comments I hope) these were manufactured by Durgin, early 1900’s and a quick google suggests there are many similar ones for sale on-line ranging from about $50-150, depending on design and weight. I am also not sure if you are supposed to 
use 2 at a time when you serve or just one to gently lift the tomato slice off of the plate… At any rate, for those interested in the “single-use” implements, this is another one to add to your list. Actually, I am utterly amazed by the amount of reader interest in these beautiful pieces of silver, beauty and style must indeed be timeless…
7 Responses
What a lovely pair of tomato servers!
They are used one server at a time, but I suppose if you had a very large tomato, you could use two.
Your sister has excellent taste—I wouldn’t be surprised if her collection included a butter pick, a hotcake lifter, an asparagus server, or even a bone holder!
Thank you for sharing…
I have not seen nor heard of this before. First time to see it here. I am a babe on this rare piece of silver tomato server.
i love this single use implements series that you have posted! those tomato servers are simply beautiful. i suppose those things were used only for entertaining small groups? looking forward to similar entries. thanks
MM, thanks for sharing these “single use implements”, i learned a lot and it was fun too “discovering” these “utensils”.
oh my… this is what i love doing here in france going to fairs and market checking these kind of utensils…
but i do know where to find them in london…
work will take me to venice and croatia..
remember the movie, “Fried Green Tomatoes”?
Arrrggghhhh!!! Just when I thought a fish pan was all I wanted!!! Hahahaha. Then I just bought a deep fryer.
These are lovely. Like the asparagus servers. For their own sake, not even for the tomatoes.
Keep posting about these things, I love it.