Scottish Sterling Silver Tea Tray 1847 109oz Provenance Start Price USD 4,750.00 Current Price USD 4,750.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 5,000.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, September 04, 2008 End Time Sunday, September 14, 2008 Location New England See more about 'Scottish Sterling Silver Tea Tray 1847 109oz Provenance' Description IMPORTANT EARLY VICTORIAN SCOTTISH STERLING SILVER TEA TRAY; PRESENTED TO SIR JOHN GILMOUR, 1ST BARONET OF LUNDIN & MONTRAVE; ELEGANT SHELL, LEAF AND GADROONED BORDER; SHELL CAP LEAF HANDLES; FROM THE ESTATE OF SIR JOHN GILMOUR, 3RD BARONET; MAKER DAVID CRICHTON, EDINBURGH, 1847; 109 OUNCES We are exceptionally pleased to offer this museum quality early Victorian Scottish sterling silver tea tray. First presented to Sir John & Lady Gilmour. On their 25th wedding anniversay. Sir John (1845-1920) successfully developed railways in South Africa. Attempting to spread British (Scottish) influence, after the Boer War. The tea tray remained with the family for three generations, without interruption. We acquired it from the estate of the 3rd Baronet, Sir John Gilmour. The original owner's grandson. Tea trays did not appear in England until the late 18th century. Prior to that large salvers, twenty inches in diameter or more, were used to accomodate tea services. A near matching c1815 George III example to our Gilmour tray is illustrated in Waldron's Antique Silver" page 237. The tea tray masterfully executed in classic oval form. Elegant shell, scroll and gadrooned border. Beautifully detailed raised smaller shells, within larger ruffled edge shells. Encased within leaf and curling vine. Regal thin panel gadrooning, between the shell and leaf displays. Recessed centre. Artistic scrolling floral decoration. Rich floral stands rising from vine framed medallions. Unique, streaming vine encircling elongated panels. In a "cork-screw" configuration. A variety of backgrounds, including linear ground, wavy line and fine pebble. The variations add even more visual appeal to an already dramatic floral design. Centre with elaborate Gilmour family coat of arms and motto. Translated "Not the wing but its use". Hand with quill above knight's helmet. Shield with leaf, powder horns and raised palm. Within swirling vine frame. Dated presentation inscription. Boldly cast shell cap twin leaf form handles. Finest hand chased finish detail. The tray supported upon gently compressed, shaped bun feet. Footed tea trays are rare. They are sought by collectors, as the footing does away with underside wear, from dragging the tray along table. This important, early Victorian Scottish sterling silver footed tea tray is 24 1/2 inches handle to handle and 16 1/2 across. Exceptionally thick, heavy guage sterling silver construction, it weighs 109 ounces. There is absolutely no "give" whatever to the centre of the tray. Even when held completely on end. Large and sturdy enough to support your finest six or seven piece service, with kettle on stand. In excellent condition. Rich, lustreous sterling patina throughout. The tray stands perfectly steady on table or sideboard. The lavishly detailed scrolling floral decoration to centre, shell and gadrooned border and shell cap leaf form handles retain most all of their original crisp, vibrant hand chased detail. Fine lines and mild scuffing from careful use. None of the lines can be felt. Crisp, well struck hallmarks along the face rim, as shown. Underside with Crichton's Edinburgh address. And along underside rim, what appear to be the silversmith's initials "DC". A unique, and rare touch. For the discerning collector of the finest 19th century Scottish silver. A breathtaking Scottish sterling silver footed tea tray. From David Crichton, Edinburgh 1847. Presented to Sir John & Lady Gilmour, 1st Baronet of Lundin and Montrave. Passed down through the family, without interruption. From the estate of Rt. Hon. Sir John Gilmour 3rd Baronet, the grandson. Please feel free to inquire directly about this, or any item we've listed. Whether the item is alone or part of a set. We very much welcome your interest. We are collectors first. As such, we are quite easy to work with. We happily combine items when shipping, saving you costs. We ship twice weekly, usually US Postal Priority. Fully insured for domestic packages, and air parcel overseas. We charge a bit more than actual cost for custom size boxes, shipping materials and to pay for professional packing. We make great effort to accurately describe each item listed. Returns are accepted, if either condition, country of origin or dating is significantly incorrect. In such cases we refund your shipping costs as well. Like you, we are only human, and make mistakes. Hopefully, not too many. Remember, the items you see are antiques. Hence, have an expected amount of wear from normal use. As such, returning an item because we failed to mention the tiniest bit of wear, or barely discernible flaw is not acceptable. Nor do we accept returns based on buyer's remorse. Nor change of taste, or because a buyer did not realize how "small" four inches might be once in hand. Please note, Massachusetts residents are subject to sales tax. We have over 4220 feedbacks. And, are quite proud of our 99.9% rating. We received favorable notice in the March 12th, 2006 New York Times. Page 8, Business Section, in a well written article on silver collecting. Copy furnished upon request. From our personal collection, a fine mid 19th century coin silver basket by Edward & John Moore. Illustrated in the cover article in May/June 2008 Silver Magazine, page 27. Enjoy....and good fortune in your bidding. Place a Bid!