Tray

Date1791-1792

Maker John Crouch II

Maker Thomas Hannam

OriginEngland, London

MediumSilver (Sterling)

DimensionsOL: 26 1/4" (66/7 cm); OW: 17 1/8" (36.5 cm); 117 oz. ("118-8" engraved on underside.)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1958-460

DescriptionLarge oval top tray with upward-curving reeded handles with leaf embellishments at either end; applied reeded rim at edge on short curved sides chased with repeated fluting; broad flat center with engraved inner border of running foliate design and coat of arms engraved in center; top supported on four bracket feet of shaped triangular outline with reeded borders, fluted faces, and scrolled feet. Coat of arms (unidentified) engraved in center.
Label TextLarge rectangular and circular salvers, sometimes referred to as "tea boards" and "tea tables" in the eighteenth century, were used primarily in the service of tea and coffee. During the last quarter of the century they were generally displaced by large oval trays with a handle at either end. The firm of Crouch and Hannam specialized during this period in the production of large oval trays, usually with reeded rims and handles and often, as in this instance, with fluted sides and engraved inner borders of a repetitive foliate design.

A splendid large rectangular salver of 1716/17 by Thomas Folkingham of London with incurved sides and indented corners, engraved with the Carter family arms, is part of the Carter family silver at Shirley, Charles City County, Virginia. The mortgaged silver of William Byrd III of nearby Westover, also in Charles City County, included in 1769 "1 Large Waiter" with the considerable value of £20.2 The inventory of the furnishings of the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg taken after the death of Lord Botetourt, who served as governor of the colony from 1768 to 1770, listed among "Plate, in the Pantry" "1 Large Tea Board." A large oval tray, quite similar to this example, by William Sutter of London, was won by John Tayloe III's horse Calypso at the Virginia Jockey Club races at Hanover Court House on October 6, 1796. Engraved on the face with the Tayloe family arms and on the underside with a portrait of the horse, it is still owned by the family.

InscribedUnidentified arms and crest engraved in center.
MarkingsFully marked on underside (maker's mark "I.C/T.H" in block letters within a rectangle, leopard's head crowned, lion passant, date letter, and sovereign’s head).
ProvenanceGarrard & Co. Ltd., London.