An Exceptionally Attractive 19th Century, Late Regency Period, Toleware Tin Tray, Having Charming Hand Painted And Gilded Chinoiseire Decoration.

Originating from the coal mining area of Pontypool, South Wales in the 18th century, toleware is basically painted and varnish coated tin ware, which was made to imitate the hugely expensive and difficult to source chinese laquer ware which was imported into Britian around this time.

The varnish itself was created using asphalt, which as a by product of the locally mined coal was generally in good supply. It was mixed with shellac before being applied to all sorts of different decorative objects, which were often extensively decorated. Due to the varnish being applied in several layers, fired at high temperatures, the resulting objects were extremely durable.

This particular tray is of good size and very nicely decorated and we believe that it would make a great decorative object in a room, or latenratively of course it could be used as an actual tray. Its fair to say that it has had a life, with a lot of rubbing in some areas and surface ware, but there are no major issues to speak of and certainly the wear is no more significant than one would expect for something that has been in constant fucntioning use throughout its life no doubt

Circa 1830.

Height 1.75in.
Width 24in.
Depth 17.5in.