Figural card tray with little red riding hood. there is a matching napkin ring with the same girl. The card tray is unmarked. Looks to have been resilvered some time ago and covered in some sort of vanish to protect it from tarnishing. I cannot find any makers name or number, but I believe it was made by Reed & Barton or Pelton Bros. as they bith made the napkin ring. I believe the makers coin or stamp may have been removed or concealed when it was replated. In very good condition. An amazing piece.
a cherub holds up the tray on a pole which rests on his knee. Made by Middletown Plate Co. #144. In very good condition.
Similar to above. a boy looks to be erecting a pole in the ground on which sits the card tray.
Marked Meriden Silverplate Company 1035. In excellent condition.
At the base of thsis card tray a boy trains a dog to stand (note biscuit in other hand). Marked Rogers Smith & Co. #141. There is a matching napkin ring to this tray, and a matching toothpick holder. In near mint condition, no exaggeration.
I call this the "Jill and the Beanstalk" tray (reference to "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Jack and Jill").
Shows a Kate Greenaway girl climbing a vine (note she is holding a really large leaf in her hand). Made by Simpson Hall Miller & Co., #518. I managed to get a photograph from a friend form an original Simpson Hall Millar & Co, catalogue (see below).
In this card tray a female cherub, holding a mirror(?), sits perched on top of a shell shapes tray, with a decorative Victorian support and base.
Made by Wilcox Silver Plate Co. #01805.
A lovely card receiving tray with a woman's head on the handle and with a lovely shell shaped tray. The base is tied with 'rope' and tassels. This piece is not marked as to maker but is a genuine 19th century piece. There is a hallmark under the shell but it is difficult to read.....could be BB for Barbour brothers, but it really looks more like a James Tufts piece. One of the legs is however marked with the number 1421.
In this figural card tray a cherub (half trunk and leaves) holds up a ball which is rge support for the tray which is in the form of a giant lily pad with a lily flower and leaf also to one side. In excellent condition. Made by Meriden B Company #232. Meriden made many figural napkin rings with the lily flower and lily pad in its design. This tray also has the bluebirds on the edge of the base which is another hallmark of Meriden B Company.
This card tray matches somewhat the card tray above. I obtained them from the same estate. It has a similar shaped tray (like a giant lily pad/leaf) with very similar decorations. Marked Meriden B Company #231, so they were consequative in a series with each other.
This lovely little card tray has a very decorative tray with cherub writing on something surrounded by vines. The base has three interesting legs with a head at the top (looks to be that of an ancient Greek), ending with hoofed feet sitting on shells. Made by Meriden Silverplate Co. #0100.
The "Jill and the Beanstalk" tray above has a very similar top to this card tray.
This is a very ornate Victorian silverplate sweetmeat tray or calling card tray. It has a owl in flight and an ornate figural bellflower handle. It is covered with esthetic era East Lake type decoration. It is 5 inches tall including handle and 7 inches deep and 7 inches wide. It is in very good condtion with some silverplate surface wear and loss as shown. It is very tarnished.
This is a compote or brides basket, with medallions/faces on the top tray sides and with a bird underneath, plus lion heads and hoofs. Marked Redd & Barton 2548. This would have had a handle (missing) so was probably a brides basket). Even without a handle one sold on ebay (in much worse condition than this one for $550). The top tray is beautifully engraved with peacocks and branches.
This is a near perfect condition figural brides basket/compote. I am not sure if it had a glass insert because the top is so beautifully engraved. The tray has 2 figural birds on the top edge, whereas 4 goat heads and hoofs decorate the bottom. In fabulous condition. Marked Meriden B Company 1723.
This is a lovely smallish card tray, or bowl or vase holder (probably the latter), with two little baby girls at the ends of the supports eating something (perhaps an apple). It is marked Aurora S.P Mfg. Co. number 729.
A loverly fox with grapes and leaves card tray. Marked Middletown Silver Plate Co. 229
A lover little dog with a stick in it's mouth stands to one side in this delightful card receiving tray.
Marked Homan Silver Plate Co., 1713.
This card receiving tray has a cherub underneath a large leaf playing two flute or pipes. The piece has had a couple of repairs (with glue) but otherwise in very good condition (no missing parts). It is marked Middletown Plate Co. 107.m It has a lovely patina.
This is a fabulous Reed & barton card tray with a cherub elevated on the handle playing a harp. Marked Reed and Barton 1830.
The sides of the tray are decorated with lovely leaves and flowers
This is adorable figural card receiving tray with a bird 'flying' through a swirling looping handle.
The top of the tray is beautifully engraved with flowers leaves and (I think) bare trees.
It is marked as having been made by Simpson Hall Miller & Co., and has pattern production number 444.
It is in exceptional condition.