Oval Hand Painted Old Toleware Tray

This beautiful old toleware tray is the largest we have ever offered for sale, measuring 24 inches long and 20 inches top to bottom and weighing 1 1/2 pounds. Vibrant flowers that include a red rose, a ranunculus, a daffodil and a zinnia, surrounded by lots of foliage and sprigs of white bellflowers, were painted freehand, not stenciled, on a black background. Several of the flowers and leaves have thickened layers of paint (impasto). 

The tray has lived a long and busy life, showing wear from use. There are chips, nicks and rubbed areas, fortunately mostly on the black background, with very little affecting the flowers. The 3/4 inch wide raised, flat rim is decorated with a painted gold design that has survived only on certain areas and is bent under just slightly in the center of each side. The reverse side of the tray has obviously borne the brunt of the wear. 

Both shabby and chic, the tray displays handsomely despite the toll the years have taken. It's a wonderful accent piece propped on a mantel, shelf or table. 

FF 4708