Salver facts for kids
A salver is a flat, often heavy, tray. It's usually made from materials like silver, other metals, or glass. People use salvers to carry or serve things like glasses, cups, and dishes at a table. They were also used to present a letter or card to someone important, often by a servant.
What is a Salver?
A salver is like a fancy serving tray. It's designed to hold items steadily and present them nicely. Historically, they were a sign of wealth and importance.
Why Were Salvers Used?
In royal or noble homes long ago, people were sometimes worried about poisoning. To be safe, someone would taste the food or drink before it was served to the master or guests. This special tasting was called an "assay." In Spanish, this process was known as salva. The word salvar means "to save" or "to preserve from risk" in Latin. After the food or drink was tasted and found safe, it was presented on a special dish or tray. This tray also became known as a salva. This Spanish word is likely where the English word "salver" came from.
Salvers in Sports
Today, salvers are sometimes used as important sports trophies. For example, a beautiful sterling silver salver is given to the winner of the Ladies' Singles at the Wimbledon tennis championships. This tradition started in 1886. Also, since 1978, a salver has been given to the runner-up at the Masters Tournament in golf.
