Spoon Tray
1722-1723 (hallmarked)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
A small tray to hold spoons or sugar nips.
Use
This tray would have been used to hold small tea-service accessories. Both tea and coffee drinking were approved and elaborated social rituals. The wealthiest classes demanded a tea equipage in a material, decoration or style that reflected their status, and this imposing silver-gilt tray would have formed part of an elaborate, expensive service. It is engraved with the coronet of the Dukes of Hamilton, the premier dukedom of Scotland.
Form
This elliptical tray, with its fluted, scalloped rim is characteristic of the first third of the 18th century, and such examples survive in some quantity. Spoon trays of this date generally do not have feet, and would have been placed directly on the table.
A small tray to hold spoons or sugar nips.
Use
This tray would have been used to hold small tea-service accessories. Both tea and coffee drinking were approved and elaborated social rituals. The wealthiest classes demanded a tea equipage in a material, decoration or style that reflected their status, and this imposing silver-gilt tray would have formed part of an elaborate, expensive service. It is engraved with the coronet of the Dukes of Hamilton, the premier dukedom of Scotland.
Form
This elliptical tray, with its fluted, scalloped rim is characteristic of the first third of the 18th century, and such examples survive in some quantity. Spoon trays of this date generally do not have feet, and would have been placed directly on the table.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Britannia silver, engraved and gilded |
| Brief description | Spoon tray, Britannia silver, engraved and gilded, England (London), 1722-1723 |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Engraved with the crest of the Dukes of Hamilton |
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Claude D. Rotch |
| Object history | Made in London |
| Summary | Object Type A small tray to hold spoons or sugar nips. Use This tray would have been used to hold small tea-service accessories. Both tea and coffee drinking were approved and elaborated social rituals. The wealthiest classes demanded a tea equipage in a material, decoration or style that reflected their status, and this imposing silver-gilt tray would have formed part of an elaborate, expensive service. It is engraved with the coronet of the Dukes of Hamilton, the premier dukedom of Scotland. Form This elliptical tray, with its fluted, scalloped rim is characteristic of the first third of the 18th century, and such examples survive in some quantity. Spoon trays of this date generally do not have feet, and would have been placed directly on the table. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.318-1962 |
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| Record created | June 7, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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