Art Deco Tray
When you search for an art deco tray, you are looking at functional serving pieces and decorative salvers shaped by the geometric boldness of the early twentieth century.
Art Deco Tray
An art deco tray encompasses everything from silver-plated cocktail servers and mirrored drinks trays to small sterling silver salvers and bronze desk tidies originating predominantly from the 1920s and 1930s.
Buyers frequently encounter silver-plated examples featuring shell borders or geometric handles, alongside mirrored glass versions set within walnut or metal frames.
The form spans straightforward domestic utility items to elaborate entertaining accessories produced by major silversmiths and French Parisian houses.
How They Were Made
Maker workshops utilised traditional metalworking techniques such as silver plating over base metals, heavy sterling silver casting, and precision cutting of mirrored or Venetian glass.
Combinations of contrasting materials like bronze, black marble, onyx, and wood veneer defined the construction methods used to achieve the sharp lines characteristic of the period.
Several trays come paired with whimsical brass tortoises and porcelain flapper girls, proving that interwar makers loved a touch of theatrical novelty.
What Varies in Quality
Quality rests upon the weight of the metal, the crispness of stamped borders or engine-turned detailing, and the integrity of mirrored or bevelled glass inserts.
Pieces bearing documented maker marks from renowned firms or individual designers display superior finishing and more resolved proportions than anonymous commercial output.
Keith Murray for Mappin and Webb·Rene Lalique·Christofle Gallia·Elkington·John Grinsell and Sons·William Hair Haseler·Turner Simpson·Edward Barnard·Masanori Kojima·Ravinet d'Enfert·Adie Brothers·James Dixon and Sons·Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co·Tiffany and Co·Asprey of London·Armada Pewter·J B Chatterley and Sons
The Art Deco Tray Glossary
- Salver
- A flat tray, typically made of silver or silver plate, used for serving drinks or presenting items. They often rest on small feet or feature decorative cast borders.
- Engine-turned
- A mechanical decoration technique that cuts intricate geometric patterns into metal surfaces. This method provides texture and catches the light on silver trays.
- Opalescent glass
- Glass that displays milky, milky-blue or fire-like translucent colour variations. It appears frequently in decorative plates and trays associated with French designers of the era.
- Demi-lune
- A half-moon shape utilised for furniture and accessories designed to sit flush against a wall. This profile appears on specialised stands and display trays.
Art Deco Tray: Frequently Asked Questions
What were art deco trays used for?
These trays served primarily for hosting, carrying cocktail sets, or presenting tea and coffee services in domestic settings.
Smaller iterations functioned as desk accessories, ashtrays, or decorative vanity dishes for personal trinkets.
How do I clean a silver plated tray?
Gentle washing with warm soapy water and a soft cloth maintains the surface without stripping the underlying plating.
Harsh chemical dips should be avoided to preserve any original dark detailing in engraved patterns.
Are mirrored glass trays fragile?
Mirrored glass inserts require careful handling, particularly where bevelled edges meet wooden or metal frames.
Weight distribution matters when carrying items, as older adhesives or backing boards can weaken over decades.
How can I tell a 1920s tray from a later reproduction?
Authentic period pieces show appropriate hallmarks, maker stamps, and construction wear consistent with manufacturing methods of the interwar decades.
Weight, patina on the silver plate, and the specific composition of the glass or mirror backing help confirm the era.