What is the difference between a salver and a tray?

A salver is a flat footed tray, usually circular or square, made for handing something. A tray is the broader word and covers the large two-handled sort as well. In practice the listings treat the two as the same thing, along with "waiter" and "dish". A waiter is simply a small salver, generally under about eight inches.

Are most of these solid silver?

No. Plate is the commonest description in the category, with silver-plated serving, drinks and cocktail trays making up roughly a third to two-fifths of what comes up. Sterling and solid silver salvers form the other main group, about a quarter of the whole. Old Sheffield plate is a smaller, distinct seam of late 18th and early 19th century pieces.

How old are silver trays on Sellingantiques?

The dealer-entered dates run from 1700 to 1960. Victorian is the largest single period label, then Edwardian, with the 1930s a strong third. The oldest hallmark years written into titles are 1735, 1736 and 1744, with several George II salvers of the 1750s. The latest dated pieces reach the 1960s.

Small at one end, six-inch card trays and narrow pen trays, pin and trinket dishes, dressing-table trays. At the other, oval serving trays quoted at twenty, twenty-two, twenty-three and twenty-five inches. Footed silver salvers sit in between, commonly eight to thirteen inches across.

Do trays come in pairs or sets?

They do. Pairs appear in a fair number of titles, and the archive includes graduated sets of three and a set of six matching pip trays. Single pieces are still the norm, particularly among the larger drinks and serving trays.

What are galleried oak drinks trays?

A wooden base, usually oak, with a raised pierced or barred silver-plate gallery around the rim. Some use mahogany or fruitwood instead. They form a small but consistent group, listed again and again under much the same wording. Most sit in the late Victorian to Edwardian span.

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Antique Silver Trays

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Flat silver and silver-plated serving ware, from footed salvers for handing a glass or a calling card to the big two-handled trays made to carry a tea service.