Exceptional Tole Tray Table, Early 19th Century

Details

Description

The best toleware tray I have ever seen, incredibly detailed, probably dating from 1810-20, of English origin, depicting a group … Read more The best toleware tray I have ever seen, incredibly detailed, probably dating from 1810-20, of English origin, depicting a group of people in a pastoral landscape surrounded by a stenciled gilt decorated border with raised pierced sides and a beaded edge and iron handles on either side. The tray is is "AS FOUND" condition with significant craquelure over the original painted surface. The craquelure is in the shellac coating and NOT in the paint decoration. If the old shellac covering was cleaned and removed, the colors would pop, but as they often say on the Antiques Roadshow, "Don't disturb the original finish!", so it's a matter of taste--clean it or leave it in its original state? Your choice.

As to be expected for a piece of this age, there are scratches and dings commensurate with its age and use, but overall, it is in a good state of preservation given the face that is is over 200 years old. Worth noting, it was also handled by two notable Philadelphia Antiques Dealers in the 40's-50's, as evidenced from the label on the reverse--Harry Eberhardt and Schwarz Gallery. The tray rests on a contemporary custom ebonised stand with a H-stretcher and straight chamfered legs ending in block feet and is ready to make a unique statement in any room.
Tray: 18" x 25" x 2"
Stand: 18" x 18" x 24" See less