Beautiful original crest - coat of arms - engraved on the center of the plateau. Engraving  reads: "fors non mutat genus". Phrase "fortuna non mutat genus" is from a monument to the confederate war dead, in downtown charleston, sc. Roughly translates: chance does not change our heritage.  In latin word "fors" is a synonym  to "fortuna".  This piece was probably sold after the civil war in southern part of usa. Very interesting!
Giant size - superior quality!
Magnificent very large sterling silver gorham center piece. 
Marked under the base and on each separate part including silver nuts with gorham sterling hallmarks. Also marked with year code for 1888.    
100% original antique hand cut crystal bowl. High quality abp (american brilliant period) cut glass.
Very rare and unusual form giant center piece for large table - probably a special order.
Very large and heavy!
  Size:
Plateau is about 19 7/8 in. (50.5 cm.) Long and about 15 9/16 in. (39.6 cm) wide.
Piece is about 9 in. (22.9 cm) tall with the crystal.
Crystal bowl is about 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm) x 7 3/8 in. (18.8 cm)
  Weight:
Weight of silver (not including crystal) is about 109 troy oz. - about 3380 grams. Very heavy! Made from very heavy gauge of silver.
   Condition:
Excellent original antique condition with minimum amount of normal wear. Very minor normal dings and scratches on silver - nothing more then normal indication of age, mentioned just for accuracy. Crystal is perfect.
Super fine quality investment grade very rare example of antique american sterling silver