19th Century Aesthetic Silver Plate Serving Tray
£360
A late 19th century English silver plate tray of medium proportions (larger than cocktail and smaller than a dinner serving tray) demonstrating the aesthetic design at its best. The illustrations have tried to pinpoint the key details that make this a stand out item.
The shape is an elongated octagon, it has a low rise sloping edge which is decorated front and rear, the decorative engraving is a combination of repeating friezes and free form foliate decor ( reminiscent of the Japanese aesthetic popular in late Victorian England). The handle design also bears note, it could be plain, it could be typical fancy casting of the era, in this instance it has been formed to be both highly practical whilst being highly attractive. These are all points that one can't simply show in a picture, the heavy gauge of the metal, the quality of the silver plate, the finesse of the design elements. It is not only a good looking item it is quality.
Size: the actual tray area is 32 cm by 23 cm, the rising edge and upper frieze extends the flat metal to 36 cm by 27.5 cm and the overall length when taking into account the handles is 42 cm. Unpacked it weighs 1.026 kg.
Condition: Apart from the expected age related signs of use there are no issues to report, handles are square and firm, there are no dinks nor gouges and the plate is in good order. The pressed bun feet are also in fine order.