Sterling Silver Galleried Tea Tray - Antique Victorian (1898)

This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver tray has a plain oval form.

The surface of the tray is encircled with an exceptional band of bright cut engraved scrolling leaf decoration, incorporating vase and floral arrays, in addition to trellis style textures; this ornamentation composes a shaped cartouche to the centre.

This broad shaped border is further embellished with simplified leaf designs to the outer circumference.

The central cartouche displays the contemporary engraved bright cut engraved crest of an ape sejant and guardant collared and chained, holding in the arms a young ape.

The hallmarked deep galleried border of this tray is embellished with pierced decorated floral motifs and urn style vases, in addition to a banded array of tiered leaf designs, all incorporating impressive bright cut engraved accents.

The tapering ends of the gallery each incorporate an oval inset handle.

The tray is further embellished with an applied moulded border to the upper rim and base.

This exceptional tray was crafted by the renowned London silversmith Charles Stuart Harris.

This antique Victorian silver tray with handles is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition.

The bright cut engraved ornamentation is very crisp.

Full hallmarks struck to the anterior surface of the gallery and part hallmarks to the base are very clear.

Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this Victorian silver tray with handles.

Length across handles 57.8cm/22.8"

Width 40cm/15.7"

Length of surface 56.5cm/22.2"

Width of surface 39cm/15.4"

Height 5.5cm/2.2"

90 troy ounces/2799g