Mid Century Chinese Etched Pewter Leaf Dishes

Chinese pewter leaf-form dish with a brass rim and carved hardstone handle, dating to around the 1950s–70s.
 
At first glance it just looks like a stylised leaf. Then you pick it up and realise someone sat there engraving the entire surface by hand. Tiny punched dots, fine lines and little curls cover almost every inch. It's the sort of detail that's completely unnecessary... which is probably why we like it.
 
We found two together, both the same shape but each engraved differently. That tells its own story. Someone wasn't copying a pattern—they were decorating each one individually. The pale hardstone handle is a nice touch too. It stops the whole thing feeling overly serious.
 
It's easy to imagine these spending their first life catching keys or calling cards, but we'd be just as happy leaving one empty. Sometimes an object has enough going on without asking it to do a job.
 
Condition: Excellent
Size: L 26cm x W 11cm x H 6.5cm (larger) & L 20cm x W 8cm x H 4.5cm (smaller)