Japanese Maki-E Lacquered Oval Wood Tray on Stand, c. 1850-1900

Oval black paper mache tray top coffee table with gold leaf border decoration, mounted on a custom sabre leg stand with conforming apron. ...

Oval tole tea tray centering on a gilt armorial on a burgundy colored ground framed with a black rim with gilt banding. Continental, probably Italian, second quarter 19th century.

A very good quality late 18th century, Georgian period, mahogany oval butlers tray of Panelled design, retaining original brass hinges to folding sides with pierced carrying handles, raised on later square leg mahogany stand. During the 18th and 19th centuries a coffee table was not what we regard as a coffee table in the 21st century. Coffee tables back then were always full height, effectively side tables. The modern, low, coffee table is really something which began to be seen during the early 20th century onwards. Based on the above there is a variety of different methods to incorporate a coffee table into an interior for people who wish to furnish their properties with genuine antique furniture, whilst still allowing for the practicalities and function which is required in modern times. Therefore as is now normal with by far the majority of these butlers trays which we see, due to the fact they make absolutely perfect coffee tables, this has been removed from its original, tall, folding stand at some point and fitted onto a lower, more practical and sturdy stand constructed from old antique wood. It’s worth noting that generally this means an old broken table...

Pheromonal antique tomato red chinoiserie tray on a later painted tray.