English Vintage Silverplate Gallery Tray Rectangular

This Classy Vintage Silverplate Rectangular Gallery Tray is electroplated on a copper base and was manufactured in England by a silver company using the monogrammed initials of “AIT Co.” It measures a great Length of 18 1/2" by a Width of 11 1/2". It has very attractive open work in its border to accentuate its fancy scroll work on its interior. It was manufactured approximately 1930.

COMMENT: This Gorgeous Silverplate Gallery Tray Most Certainly Can Show Off A Quality Crystal Decanter Arrangement At Any Party! It May Also Grace Any Lady’s Vanity Table for Her Cologne or Perfume Decanter Collection. Whatever! It is simply a classy tray that may be also used for any entertaining occasion.

PHOTOGRAPHY NOTE: Please excuse the poor quality (clarity) of these photos. Better photos will be uploaded at a later time or upon request.

CONDITION: This silverplate tray is in very fine condition except for a little normal wear! This is to be expected for any old silverplate item which has been used over the years.

SILVERPLATE CONDITION NOTE:

Some minor conditional problems that are a common occurrence or commonplace with "antique and vintage" silverplate pieces which are considered acceptable and by general standards considered as "patina" are minor or light surface scratching and slight wear or minor bleeding of the base metal which is generally copper, brass or Britannica metal.

• Teapots, Coffee pots and Jugs generally show some interior discoloration and pitting due to the chemical interaction of the tea, coffee or other beverages with the various base metals if left sitting for long time periods and not properly cleaned after each usage. Teapots almost always have discoloration on the "interior" bottom.
• Trays normally have light surface scratching and bleeding of the base metal. Antique and Vintage Trays almost always show surface wear on the reverse side (back side).
• Flatware, for example forks, knives, spoons, etc., because of their usage, will on many occasions exhibit some light surface scratching.
• Candlesticks, at the insert top section, sometimes will exhibit slight discoloration where the candle burns too low; also sometimes on the underneath side of the base, wear will show.
• Entree Dishes, if not accompanied with glass liners, will also sometimes have surface scratches from utensils while serving.

"Antique and Vintage Silverplate" are not "new" items and therefore will almost always exhibit slight wear (bleeding) and light surface scratching. Normally if there is any relief work, that is embossing or floral, many times will show slight bleeding of the base metal.

Many Victorian Art Nouveau and Edwardian pieces of silverplate will almost always show bleeding and sometimes need re-silvering. Re-silvering is frowned upon and is not always recommended by purists, especially when it comes to Georgian and Early Victorian silverplate. Re-silvering of really early pieces, Georgian to Mid-Victorian, can devalue pieces. Generally speaking, "re-silvering" is a personal matter of choice.