I believe a person could start a collection based solely on the different shapes and forms of silent butlers (also called crumbers or ash receivers) made by Craftsman Studios of California. This one is a smaller form, about 9 inches long from the curved handle to the rim. The rounded 5-1/2" octagonal shaped cover has random hammer marks, the bowl is a crimped flower petal shape with folded corners.

The underside of the lid is marked with the hammer and anvil logo "Hand Made, Craftsman Co." and numbered 545. No one has ever been able to accurately date all the various Craftsman marks but based on my own experience and research as a Craftsman collector for nearly 30 years, I'd say this piece dates to the 1940s.

The copper could use a light cleaning but the butler is in very good condition otherwise, with some very minor scuffing at one corner. My photos make the coloring appear slightly brassy but the coloring is actually very nice with a muted, somewhat multi-hued appearance.