Rectangular serving tray Schiavon Barocco 18th century

Collection: Barocco XVIII Century
Material: 925 Silver
DIMENSIONS: 560 x 340 mm
Weight: 1644 g

The Barocco collection offers the highest craftsmanship and embellishments, created for luxurious homes and tables. Each decorative accessory piece is made of 925 silver.

Silver trays have confidently entered our lives. They are a symbol of status and good taste, and such a way of serving food looks impressive; even the dishes themselves become much more appetizing under the shine of precious metal. The first trays appeared in Japan over 1300 years ago, but they looked nothing like those we see on store shelves today. Japanese trays resembled ordinary wooden boards. Later, they began to be covered in black lacquer and adorned with stones and landscapes made of white quartz; these items are known today as bonséki. They were used in Japan for tea ceremonies and were renowned for their beauty and elegance.

In Russia, trays appeared much later—in the 16th century. Initially, they resembled simple wooden dishes, which were decorated with bright and colorful patterns. Later, trays with edges made of gold and silver were distinguished, featuring intricate engravings.

The first iron trays began to be produced in the 18th century in Nizhny Tagil. The tin models were characterized by their large size and were called tablecloth trays; over time, they were reduced to sizes we are familiar with today, but they did not lose their functionality. In the 19th century, trays began to be painted with bright floral patterns.

It should be noted that trays were not always used exclusively for serving food. They were produced as stands for samovars, hung on walls instead of paintings, and even taken on journeys to place under paper for recording impressions. In affluent homes, a silver tray always stood at the entrance where guests could leave their business cards. This tradition is upheld to this day at elegant formal events and social receptions.