Oval Oak carved platter decorated with wheat sheafs and with the words “Give us this day our daily bread” carved around the edge.
The platter is in good condition but displays a shrinkage crack across the centre panel and design. Platter designs featuring wheat sheafs and the phrase “Give us this day our daily bread” are typically associated with decorative, often folk art pieces, that symbolise themes of agriculture, sustenance, and spirituality. The phrase itself comes from the Christian prayer, The Lord’s Prayer, and is a reference to asking for God’s provision of daily needs.
This phrase, along with the symbolism of wheat (which represents the harvest and food), would have been used to convey themes of gratitude, abundance, and divine blessing in a rustic, agricultural context. These platters were often made in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in European and American folk art traditions. They could be created in various materials, including wood, ceramic, or pewter, with wood being particularly common in rural or traditional contexts.
The wheat sheaf is a symbol of abundance and harvest, often used to evoke ideas of prosperity and sustenance. The phrase “Give us this day our daily bread” was likely carved to reflect religious or agricultural values, reminding those who used the platter of the importance of daily provisions. The carving of such motifs was common in handcrafted items, particularly in the 19th century, when artisans would carve platters or trays for both practical and decorative purposes.
