What is a Salver?
A salver is a type of serving tray, classically made from silver, although other metals may be used as well. The defining point of a salver is that it lacks handles, differentiating it from other types of trays. Some salvers have feet, but usually they are simply basic flat trays. Many home and restaurant supply stores carry salvers, in an assortment of shapes, sizes, and designs, and many companies make salvers which are designed to coordinate with existing serving ware, such as tea sets. The origins of the word “salver” are quite interesting. The word first appeared in English in the 1600s, and it it appears to have been borrowed from the Spanish salvar, which means “to save” or “to taste food for traces of poison.” In royal and high-profile households, it was traditional for a small sample of food to be brought out on a salver for tasting before being offered to the diners, to ensure that the food was not tainted. The tradition of food tasting was once widespread across many regions
