Tray Tables
1860s Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Tin
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1890s Burmese Other Antique Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Leather
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer, Paper
1830s English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
Mid-19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1890s English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
1880s Sheraton Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
19th Century English Campaign Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
Late 19th Century European Black Forest Antique Tray Tables
Oak
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1830s Regency Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
1860s English High Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1790s English Chippendale Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Turkish Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Copper
1820s English William IV Antique Tray Tables
Scagliola, Rosewood
1760s British George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century English William IV Antique Tray Tables
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
1880s Other Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
19th Century Persian Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Copper
19th Century Italian Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze
Mid-19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
Late 19th Century Swedish Gothic Revival Antique Tray Tables
Oak
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Lacquer, Paper
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
Mid-18th Century British George II Antique Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
1860s British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu, Bronze
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Oak
1790s English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1860s English Campaign Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Silver
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Antique and Vintage Tray Tables
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.