Posted 12 years ago
oldman2102
(2 items)
I found this beautiful tray in my parents home and have been unable to identify it. I suspect that it is a Vanity Tray but am not sure, I have not found anything that looks like it on the internet, in catalogs or books, or anywhere else. There are no markings anywhere. The rim looks like it is silver plate. The butterfly and dried floral arrangement are sandwiched between a clear glass top and opaque glass bottom. My parents were married in the San Francisco bay area in 1927. This tray may have been purchased in the late '20's or early '30's. I would appreciate hearing from anyone that may be able to help me identify this beautiful tray.
That butterfly is a blue morpho, I think they're from Brazil, they make big platters with their wings. I've got one thats 16" in diameter, solid butterfly wings, its absolutely incredible. I doubt that it is silver-plate, the way its tarnishing looks like sterling to me. Its probably not a vanity tray but a decorative piece. I also don't think its from the 20's-30's, the plants would have faded and it you would see more yellow. I've also got a Van Briggle lamp with a shade like this, type in "van briggle butterfly lamp" into Google Images. Also try "morpho butterfly tray" or "plate". They did make them in the 1H20thC but I think this is later. I betcha that rim is sterling too.
Stillwater:
Thank you very much for the comment you left about the tray. It is an interesting tray. I wish there was a mark o it of some kind, I would really like to know who made it?
Yeah, everyone wants to know who made their thing, but without a mark, in most cases its impossible to ever find out. There were millions of makers who made billions of things.
Hi I adore it, I cant help with identification, but I do know that the use of butterflies and there wings in decorative items and jewellery was a popular art during the 1920's. Good luck with your research. Tilly :)