Antique London 1907 silver and mother of pearl caviar/ bon bon dish J H worrell & sons this very rare decorative dish clearly Hallmarked for London 1907 is made by renowned silversmiths j h worrell
& Sons some age related wear( very minor hardly noticeable chip to mother of  pearl / marks to top of silver it is over a 100 years old!!! And rare mother of pearl chips and breaks easily) very collectible 
16 cm wide ( mother of pearl)
9 cm depth 
9 cm tall 
Mother of pearl, also known as nacre, is the iridescent, organic material lining the inside of certain mollusk shells. It is formed from tiny, interlocking layers of calcium carbonate (aragonite) and a protein called conchiolin, which gives the material its strength and beautiful, multi-colored sheen. Unlike round pearls, which form around an irritant inside the shell, mother of pearl is the smooth, flat surface on the shell's interior, used in jewelry, musical instruments, and furniture.
 
What it is:
Nacre: This is the technical term for mother of pearl, a strong and resilient composite material. 
Organic material: It's a natural product of mollusks like oysters, mussels, and abalone. 
Layered structure: Its iridescence and strength come from the unique, layered structure of aragonite platelets bound by a silky protein. 
How it's made:
Mollusks secrete nacre to protect the inside of their shells from irritants. 
This process deposits flat layers of aragonite and conchiolin on the inner shell lining. 
Uses:
Jewelry: It's used as a visually attractive backing, inlay, or highlight in various types of jewelry, including pendants, earrings, and rings. 
Decorative items: It's also used in decorative items for furniture, watch faces, and musical instruments. 
Historical applications: Historically, it was used in ornate items like chests, writing desks, and even in the architecture of mosques and palaces. 
Key characteristics:
Iridescent: It has a luminous, slightly multi-colored appearance. 
Unique: No two pieces of mother of pearl are exactly alike. 
Strong: Despite its low hardness on the Mohs scale, its layered structure makes it very tough and resilient.