Manufacturer: Bauscher Brothers
Pattern: Cobra
Date of plate: 1987 – 1988

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Pistilli also developed and operated the Raphael Hotels in San Francisco, Kansas City and Chicago. According to his children, who now work with The Raphael Group, Pistilli gave this plate to his "business associates, social associates, family and friends," in either 1987 or 1988, when he was with the Alameda Plaza.

The family refers to it as the Cobra.

A smaller plate has been found (April 2009) with the same design, backstamped for El Gezirah Sheraton Hotel, Towers & Casino, located on the southern tip of El Gezirah Island on the River Nile in Cairo, Egypt. (Sometimes spelled El Gezira, without the "h.")

According to emporis.com, the skyscraper was built in 1984 with 27 floors, at a height of 328 feet. (It is now – 2009 – the Sofitel El Gezirah.)

When Bauscher was contacted with an inquiry about the design, the reply was that the cobra decoration was made for Sheraton, confirmed now that the plate with El Gezirah Sheraton backstamp has been located.

One might surmise that Pistilli was able to purchase an overrun of the Sheraton's china from Bauscher and had it backstamped for his holiday gifts.

Purple plate with stylized floral border and Art Nouveau woman wearing a hooded cobra.

ID and photos contributed by dbstoneware