Tray

CultureEnglish

Date1840-1850

MediumSilverplate

DimensionsOverall: 1 1/2 × 28 × 19 1/8 inches (3.81 × 71.12 × 48.58 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Edward G. McLean

Object number80-45/1

MarkingsSee accession file.

On View

Not on view

Collections

Architecture, Design and Decorative Arts

Terms

DescriptionTray with fused silverplate over heavy metal backing. The back is called a "poverty back" because of the Scot's frugality. The tray is unusual in shape, having eight focal points instead of the regular square, oval, or round. The roses in the corners, laced with smaller roses, flowers, and vines, combine with the same leaves and convex bands in the two handles. On legs shaped as hooves with the same convex bands ending in curved lines and two convex oval shapes. In the center of the tray is the family seal or crest, all within a rectangle with rounded corners which has been more heavily plated to insure the depth of the crest. Below the upper curved shape, downwardly, is a six-pointed star with a small circle in the middle. This curved shape ends in tassels with CAVE A DSUM indented. Below the upper helmeted curved shape is a shield, the left half of which has a rectangular shape with a smaller shield with a helmed figure facing the right, and the same shapes on the left half. To the right of this divided leaf shape is one holding a vase with round base and flared top. Below this is a lion with its tail furled and right leg upholding a dagger. All this portion has small spear shapes, and the right half of the shield has two tower shapes with door openings. An inverted "V" within which are larger spear shapes. Below is another tower shape as above. All of this with indented cross hatching. There are eight small rectangular shapes on the silvered front, probably caused from tape being applied in packing.

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