Hello! My name is Julie, and I’ve inherited some lovely items from my Auntie, who traveled the world extensively in 1950-1980. She lived her working adult life (1952-1992) in New York City, and as VP of Facilites for a major corporation, part of her duties included furnishing corporate suites and offices.
I tell you this because my item is more than likely purchased from the artisan/place-of-origin, although I little else to work with.
I’m thinking about selling this tray, but if it is valuable, I’d keep it for my daughters instead, plain and simple. Any help or advice that you can impart would be so much appreciated!
This little brass salver has no stickers or tags. It’s a very lustrous yellow brass. The hammered handles appear to be brass, and the rivets are hammered copper.
It measures 9-3/4 inches long X 5-3/4 across.
Handles measure 1-3/4 inches X 5/8-inch.
Weighs a solid eight (8) ounces.
Handles are sturdy and intact.
The only identifying hallmarks on the piece are stars hammered into the rivets on the back.
Brass is thin, but very sturdy, with hammer marks clearly seen.
Small imperfections are either patina or inherent to the brass.
There cosmetic marks on bottom from shelf wear.
With gratitude,
Julie
P.S. System is not letting me download my photos, no matter how much I reduce them. Any ideas regarding THIS problem, again, I’m all ears! 🙂
https://www.etsy.com/market/star_rivets
Well,, it may not be what you want to hear but I think this tray could have come from an import shop here in the U.S !! Or,,if your relative made a stop in France could have come from any of the shops there !! At any rate,, the star rivets are a new thing and as you can see,, can be purchased online !! Check the second row far right in the link,,an Etsy shop !! I thought it odd that there was no engraving at all on it !! And I did check many online !! Most all had a chased or engraved pattern that would give some idea of where it was made !! Since this had nothing on bottom,,there was little to go on !! But thats my feeling on it !! Now if France was one of her stops,, it could just as easily have been purchased there !! They are pretty well known for brass and copper ware!! It did not come from any of the middle eastern countries that also export brass by the tons !! Its simplicity makes me think it was made in France !! Actually they just imbedded the star rivet in a hot blob of copper !! When cool it looks like it was made that way !! Hope you are understanding this !!
As to age and value about the only thing I can guess is sometime in the 80`s !! Value would be under $50. Still a nice tray !!
Thank you for responding!
This tray comes form my aunt, who traveled the world from the 1950-1980s and called NYC home from 1955-1985 or so. This tray belonged to her, and she left it to me. I remember seeing it in her apartment when I was in my teens (1970’s), and am guessing that she picked it up somewhere along the way during her travels in Europe/Asia!
Long story short… I have NO idea of the provenance behind this tray! I’ve gone over it with a magnifying glass and a loupe and cannot find a single identifying mark other than the stars.
BUT… your info on the copper vs. bronze is a terrific new start, and I appreciate it!
If it’s a unique tray, I plan to keep it to pass on. If it’s a “common” or mass-made piece, I’ll probably place it into my little Etsy shop.
Any information or leads that anyone might have would be so very much appreciated!
Julie