French Art Deco Tray
These pieces of french art deco tray combine geometric silver plate and moulded opalescent glass for serving and display.
French Art Deco Tray
A french art deco tray brings together serving vessels, mirrored sideboard bases and glass dishes produced primarily during the interwar decades. When you search for this phrase, you meet items designed for cocktails, display and the table.
The objects span long serving surfaces, mirrored sideboard trays, glass salvers and small pin dishes. Silver plated metal and opalescent glass dominate the selection, often carrying strong geometric or stylised natural motifs typical of the period.
How they were made
Makers utilised heavy silver plating over base metal for drinks and sideboard trays, alongside cast and pressed glass for opalescent plates and dishes. Wood such as Macassar also appears in modernist serving pieces.
Techniques combined traditional silversmithing with industrial glass moulding, allowing houses to produce both crisp geometric metalwork and relief-moulded animal or figure designs.
French Art Deco Tray Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for french art deco tray among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
The material record shows a strong division between pressed opalescent glass and silver plated metal forms.
What varies in quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of the cast or pressed detail in the glass and the weight and finish of the silver plate. Pieces bearing clear maker signatures and substantial metal gauges stand apart from unmarked commercial output.
The integrity of mirrored inserts and the depth of opalescence within the glass determine the distinction between standard production items and important studio pieces.
Rene Lalique·Christofle·Brille·Sabino·Saglier Freres
The French Art Deco Tray Glossary
- Opalescent Glass
- Glass that diffuses light with a milky or coloured sheen, frequently utilised in decorative plates and dishes.
- Silver Plate
- A base metal coated with a layer of silver, common in the construction of serving trays and cocktail sets.
- Salver
- A flat serving tray, often raised on a foot or edge, used for presentation and display.
- Sideboard Mirror Tray
- A serving surface lined with a mirror plate designed to reflect light and glassware upon a dining room sideboard.
French Art Deco Tray: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean a silver plated tray?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle silver cleaner formulated to protect plated surfaces without removing the underlying finish.
Avoid abrasive pads or harsh chemical dips that damage the original sheen and wear down the silver layer.
Are opalescent glass trays safe for food?
Most decorative glass dishes and plates from this period serve better for display or dry presentation than heavy daily dining use.
Hand washing in lukewarm water preserves the delicate moulded surface and prevents thermal shock to the glass.
How do I identify a maker on these trays?
Look along the outer rim or base for stamped factory hallmarks, engraved signatures or moulded relief lettering.
Silversmiths typically stamped the metal underside, whilst glass artists signed directly into the hot mould or surface.
Can I use a mirrored tray for drinks?
Mirrored sideboard trays accommodate cocktail sets and glassware when handled with care against moisture.
Permanent liquid pooling can seep beneath the silvered backing of the mirror glass over time.