Serving trays

DateLate 1700s

Dimensions63.45 × 45.69 × 5.08 cm (25 × 18 × 2 in.)

MarkingsImpressed mark on bottom of tray, from maker: "[crown]/ CLAY/ PATENT".

Credit LineGift of Cummings E. Davis (1886)

Object numberH2186

DescriptionServing tray, oval, with black lacquer and gilt decoration. Edge of bottom rounded, fence sits on top of bottom with nails through bottom. Fence possibly made in two layers, one outside, one inside. Top edge of fence appears molded. No handles. Entire tray lacquered or painted black. Gold decoration over black: on outside of fence, line of husks between two lines at top, with serpentine stem with leaves and curled line beneath this; inside of fence has pattern of four intersecting serpentine lines, with vertical lines in spaces, around which apparently random squiggled lines; around edge of bottom of tray, inside fence is line of leaves and berries.