Georgian Footed Tray
A georgian footed tray brings formal elegance to a room, offering a raised surface of silver, glass or timber designed to display and serve.
Georgian Footed Tray
A georgian footed tray encompasses items designed with a raised base or support, frequently encountered as silver salvers, tazzas, card trays, and tray top tables from the eighteenth century. These pieces function as serveware or display surfaces, resting on feet that elevate the flat top above a table or floor.
The materials span sterling silver, old old sheffield plate, crystal glass, and timbers such as mahogany and walnut. Forms range from compact circular tazzas and card trays to larger presentation salvers and occasional side tables with tray tops.
Most examples align with the broader georgian period, alongside later nineteenth century revivals influenced by earlier styles. Buyers select these objects for their combination of functional utility and period craftsmanship.
How they were made
Silversmiths hammered and shaped sterling silver and old sheffield plate, applying chased or engraved decoration to the surface of salvers and trays. Glassmakers used lead glass and clear glass to blow tazzas with spreading folded feet.
Cabinetmakers worked with mahogany, walnut, and burr walnut to construct side tables and display tables featuring tray tops. Metalworkers also utilised brass and copper for specific utilitarian items such as footscrapers.
Among the formal silver and glass, a small oval footscraper reminds us that eighteenth century floors needed protection too.
What varies in quality
Quality rests on the crispness of chased decoration, the weight of the silver or metal, and the clarity of the glass. Superior metalwork displays precise hand engraving and well-balanced proportions on the feet.
In wooden furniture and tray top tables, the grain figure of the mahogany or walnut and the joinery determine the standard. Pieces that retain their original surfaces and maker marks hold greater distinction among collectors.
Robert Abercromby·William Garrard·Paul Storr
The Georgian Footed Tray Glossary
- Tazza
- A small, stemmed shallow bowl or tray raised on a single foot. This form served drinks or sweetmeats in formal settings.
- Salver
- A flat plate or tray of metal used for presenting food, wine, or documents. They typically stand on small feet.
- Old Sheffield Plate
- A composite material made by fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper base. It was widely utilised before modern electroplating.
- Patten
- A small dish or plate, often associated with silver wares from the eighteenth century. The term shares roots with liturgical vessels.
- Card Tray
- A small decorative tray intended for holding visiting cards in a hall or reception room. These often feature raised rims and feet.
Georgian Footed Tray: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tazza?
A tazza is a flat or shallow vessel supported by a central foot or stem. It functions to display food, glass, or small objects.
In eighteenth century contexts, these pieces often feature folded rims and delicate baluster stems.
How do I clean a silver salver?
Silver salvers require gentle cleaning with specialised silver polish and a soft cloth. Harsh abrasives can damage the engraved decoration and wear away old sheffield plating.
Store the metal in a dry environment to slow down the natural tarnishing process.
What is Old Sheffield Plate?
Old Sheffield Plate is an early fusing technique where silver is bonded to a copper core. This method produces durable items with a warm metallic tone.
Examining the edges often reveals the thin copper seam beneath the silver layer.
How do I use a tray top table?
Tray top tables serve as occasional furniture for holding drinks, books, or decorative objects in a living space. The raised edge prevents items from sliding off the surface.
Many examples feature folding or removable trays supported by wooden stands.