Lucite Butler Stand
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Steel
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Silver Plate
1980s Photorealist Color Photography
Photographic Paper, C Print, Dye Transfer
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Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Decorative Art
Brass
Vintage 1930s American Neoclassical Floor Mirrors and Full-Length Mirrors
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Barware
Metal
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tableware
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Barware
Brass
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Barware
Metal, Chrome
Antique 19th Century Victorian Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
Vintage 1970s French Modern Platters and Serveware
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Rattan, Mirror, Bamboo, Wicker
1980s Photorealist Color Photography
Photographic Paper, C Print, Dye Transfer
Vintage 1910s British Hollywood Regency Models and Miniatures
Metallic Thread, Aluminum, Berlin Iron, Brass, Bronze, Cut Steel, Foil, ...
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Brass
Mid-20th Century Organic Modern Dining Room Tables
Wood, Faux Bamboo
Recent Sales
20th Century American Carts and Bar Carts
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Chrome
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Barware
Brass, Metal
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Chrome
20th Century Argentine Tray Tables
Silver Plate
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Finding the Right tray-tables for You
The popularity of antique and vintage tray tables owes mostly to the 1950s, when the first TV dinners made their way into the freezers of American kitchens.
At a time when televisions were increasingly becoming fixtures in the living rooms of most homes in the United States, the tray table was impossibly convenient. With a deft merging of function and style, the table, positioned in front of your sofa or plush armchair, was a place to rest your Swanson-brand TV dinner, a compartmentalized supper issued on a disposable tray that required minimal preparation. The technological advances of the mid-century kitchen included programmable ovens, so TV dinners were quick and easy, particularly when home-cooked meals were out of the question.
When one had finished the last bite of this square meal, which was packed into sections that assumed various geometric shapes in their own partitioned aluminum tray, the tray table could be easily folded up and tucked away until needed again.
Eventually, designers took to exploring iterations of the widely loved tray table that would better suit household needs. Once a simple, foldable furnishing that was confined to use at mealtime, tray tables are now somewhat of a budget-friendly design staple for many households. Today, tray tables are as versatile as ever, and such a wide range has been manufactured over the years that you’re likely to find a good fit no matter what your furniture style preferences might be.
Tray tables are used as side tables, nightstands, a bar tray when your space won’t accommodate that handsome vintage bar cart you’ve been looking for and desks, particularly as many of us are working from home and especially when a modest-sized apartment won’t allow for larger tables.
Tray tables vary in style, shape and size. When looking for a tray table, you should measure accordingly and ensure that wherever it will land in your space there will be room around the table to allow for easy movement.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique and vintage tray tables that includes mid-century modern tray tables, Art Deco versions and more.
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