This ornate tea tray has 3 small markings on the back. It is approximately 22" handle to handle and 14" wide. It weights approximately 117 ounces.
It was owned by a home builder and his wife from Hollywood, California. They built many of the 'stars' homes in the 1950's and 60's. They didn't have any children - but loved my wife - so willed it to her.
Hi William,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Tea trays of this size were almost always made of a sheet of copper or nickel sandwiched between two very thin sheets of silverplate - it was a process known as Electroplated Silver and was used because it was durable enough to support the weight of a fully laden tea service. I couldn't find a match to the marks but this is most likely American and early 20th Century.
For your reference, you might be interested to see what similarly sized trays are selling for at auction recently in this link, which includes some sales of large sets, not just the tray: (https://www.liveauctioneers.com/search/?keyword=electroplated%20silver%20trays&pageSize=72&sort=-saleStart&status=archive).
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A vintage/near antique silverplated tea tray
unattributed marks, probably American, early 20th Century
Of rectangular form with impressed foliate decoration to the front, gadrooned edge, marked on the verso.
22 inches across the handles, 14 inches wide; 117.4 oz
CONDITION: not examined in person but appears to be in good condition with minor use wear throughout.
PROVENANCE: inherited
$100-150*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.