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Fabulous Antique English Early Sheffield Plate Armorial Engraved Lg. Tea Tray

About the Item

Quite possibly one of THE Finest Antique English Sheffield Plate oblong two handle Large Tea Tray with sterling Rococo applied mounted border and one of the most exceptional hand engraved armorial crests ever seen. (We have not yet been able to find the origin of this crest/armorial). Please note the image of the dog extending out the top of the crest. This tray is FIRST PERIOD Old Sheffield Plate, made by annealing a sheet of sterling silver to a sheet of copper, sometimes known as fused plate. This is one of the earlier examples, in ORIGINAL condition. The copper bleeding through the highlights of the hand chased well along with the original poverty or pauper back (early makers would have never wasted the sterling on the rear of the tray, hence it was not silvered on the rear.) There is evidence that half round low "bunn" feet may have existed at one time but only the shadow of those "feet" are remaining. Otherwise, the condition is superb given its age. You will notice that the ornate applied border has no evidence of plate loss (no copper bleed) indicating that the applied border was most likely made from sterling silver. (Lead mounts, sometimes used, would have long since lost their plate and appear as a gray, pewter-like color which it does not.) The center of the tray has a large, rounded rectangular "let in" shield of sterling silver such that when the tray was originally crested/engraved, the underlying copper would not bleed through. This, along with the pauper/poverty back and rolled over edge at the back edge are indicative of early Sheffield Plate. For its age, the condition is fabulous! A rare and fine example for any collector of original Sheffield Plate. (No maker's mark was discovered).

Dimensions:

Height: 2 in (5.08 cm)Width: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Depth: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)

Style:

George III (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Copper,Sheffield Plate,Silver,Engraved,Hand-Crafted

Place of Origin:

England

Period:

Late 18th Century

Date of Manufacture:

Circa 1785-1805

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. For its age, the condition is fabulous! A rare and fine example for any collector of original Sheffield Plate.

Seller Location:

Charleston, SC

Reference Number:

Seller: LA22823/172B1stDibs: LU1891336064572

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