How could anyone tell me what this is used for and where it’s from - I think London 1871 but would like any more information on its use . An heirloom
Thanks
Not sure what it is, but it’s London 1953 (note the “coronation” silhouette of Elizabeth II):
https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Dates/London/Date%20Letters%20S.html
And the maker is William Comyn & Sons Ltd (“RC” because it’s Richard, one of the sons):
https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/London-RA-RD.html#RC
The object itself is a bit of a puzzle. The base is a coaster holder, missing its collection of 6 coasters. But the top piece doesn’t make a lot of sense in that context. Could this be a marriage of mismatched objects? Does the base have the same hallmarks as the top? If it’s all sterling, and a set, both pieces would have to be hallmarked.
Most coaster holders are plate, not sterling. Like this:
Hello thanks for this - yes I wondered if it was a mismatch as the bottom bit has no hallmarks so that makes sense - so a small bowl of no real function and a coaster holder with no coasters!! - - thanks for the information though really helpful …
I wonder what the scratched numbers are ??
If there were one more digit, I’d say it was a Canadian phone number, for someone living in Newfoundland. 
Probably someone’s inventory number, scratched on by the owner or dealer. A factory model number wouldn’t be hand-scratched like that.