Flat tray-like top on a stem, used for food service and to stack into pyramids. Fig18 NEGG
A tray for serving. At first, salvers were used primarily for presenting objects to rulers; more recently, the word is used to denote trays used for presenting letters or visiting cards, or for serving refreshments.
A salver is a flat tray of silver or other metal used for carrying or serving glasses, cups and dishes at table or for the presenting of a letter or card by a servant. In a royal or noble household the fear of poisoning led to the custom of tasting the food or drink before it was served to the master and his guests; this was known as the assay of meat and drink, and in Spanish was called salva. Salvar is to preserve from risk, from the Latin salvare, to save.