{"product_id":"stenciled-painted-peacock-toleware-tray","title":"Stenciled Painted Peacock Toleware Tray","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wonderfully decorative \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e19th-century toleware serving tray\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, featuring a colorful peacock surrounded by stylized flowers, foliage, and fruit against a deep black ground.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe central composition combines the graphic quality of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003estenciled decoration with finer painted detailing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The peacock is rendered in shades of green, ochre, rust, and red, its long patterned tail extending across a dense botanical arrangement of blossoms, leaves, and fruit. A narrow gilt line frames the scene, while repeating gilt foliate motifs decorate the broad raised rim.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis combination of techniques is characteristic of period decorated toleware. Surviving 19th-century trays are documented with both \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003estenciled and hand-painted ornament\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and English examples from around 1840 survive with stenciled decoration and translucent color washes applied over the gilding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe rectangular tray is formed with softly rounded corners, a deep raised gallery, and integrated pierced carrying handles. Its black surface has developed extensive fine craquelure and wear over time, softening both the gilding and polychrome decoration while leaving the peacock beautifully legible. The combination of the dark ground, aged gold, and jewel-toned bird gives it a particularly rich decorative quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally made as a functional serving tray, it is equally compelling today displayed upright on a mantel or shelf, hung as wall decoration, or layered into a collection of antique paintings and objects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWithout a maker's mark or further provenance, I would keep the attribution broad rather than assigning it specifically to England, France, or another European workshop.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Europe, 19th century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Japanned metal \/ toleware with stenciled and painted decoration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 26\" L x 19\" W\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fair antique condition with extensive age-related craquelure, rubbing, scratches, oxidation, and scattered losses to the black ground and decoration. The surface retains a substantial, beautifully aged patina consistent with its age and use. Please review photographs as part of the condition description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"England, 19th c.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44420634411095,"sku":null,"price":138.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0577\/3505\/3399\/files\/B50A1615.jpg?v=1791349422","url":"https:\/\/gladysavenue.com\/products\/stenciled-painted-peacock-toleware-tray","provider":"Gladys Avenue","version":"1.0","type":"link"}