"Square Pierced Tea or Coffee Tray"
Date1770-1790
OriginEngland, Leeds
MediumLead-glazed earthenware (creamware / cream-colored earthenware)
DimensionsL: 14 5 1/16" . W: 12 3/8"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1972-380
DescriptionLead-glazed cream-colored earthenware (creamware) tray of rectangular shape with canted corners and low slanted pierced gallery.Label TextThe Leeds Pottery Pattern Book illustrates this form and identifies it as a "Square Pierced Tea or Coffee Tray" and offered it in graduated sizes from 10 to 19 inches. Used to carry cups and saucers and other tea or coffee drinking equipage from room to room, the tray could have remained on the table as it was both decorative and useful for serving and for protecting a tabletop or fine linens. Usually made of wood or sometimes silver, a tray such as this out of ceramic was a feat for any pottery. Warpage in the kiln during firing could make such an object unusable.
