Samuel Kirk & Son, Co., Sterling Repousse Gallery Tea Tray, Baltimore, MD, c. 1900

This is the first time we've ever had this form from Kirk and it is stunning. Good examples of sterling gallery trays are very rare. The top and bottom edge of the gallery is bordered by cast, chased and applied banding of overlapping leaves. The 3-dimensional repoussé work is a continuous branch with an array of various blossoming flowers and leaves on a stippled background. The cast and applied handles at each end are equally dynamic in their design. The tray rests on four ball feet.

The Samuel Kirk & Son Co., Baltimore, Md. 1914 Catalog Reprint calls this piece a 'salver'. Examples of this type tray can be found as early as the late 18th century when they were known as 'tea boards'.

This gorgeous tray is marked 'S. Kirk & Son Co/ 925-1000/ 1220'. The oval serving tray measures 19.75 by 13.75 within the interior. It measures 23.5 inches across the handles. The silver is of very heavy gauge and the tray is in excellent condition, with a replaced wooden insert base.

According to the Samuel Kirk & Son Co., Baltimore, Md. 1914 Catalog Reprint, this 'salver' originally had a glass insert as a base. Although the glass could have been replaced, we find the dark mahogany against the silver to be particularly attractive. The base appears to have been replaced 50-75 years ago and it features a wonderful Edwardian central paterae inlay.