Silver Tray in Russian Style from the 18th Century with Side Handles - 1758

Russian Empire (Russia), year 1758
Maximum dimensions: 35 x 28 cm
Weight: 782 grams of 12 silver standard
Marks:

• Assay mark from Russia, 1758, where:
• Initials of the assay master
• There is also a mark with the initials of the master D.I.G.

Translation of the rest of the text:

Silver trays have confidently entered our lives. They are a sign of status and good taste; serving food this way looks impressive, and the dishes themselves appear much more appetizing under the shine of precious metal. The first trays appeared in Japan over 1300 years ago, but they looked nothing like the ones we see today on store shelves. Japanese trays resembled simple wooden boards. Later, they were coated with black lacquer and decorated with stones and landscapes made of white quartz; these items are now known as bonséqu. 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 plates painted with bright and colorful patterns. Later, boards with edges made of gold and silver began to appear, and these were decorated with intricate engravings.

The first iron trays began to be produced in the 18th century in Nizhny Tagil. Tin models were large and called "tablecloth trays." Over time, they were reduced to the familiar size but 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 solely for serving food. They were produced as stands for samovars, hung on walls instead of paintings, and even taken on journeys to be used as surfaces for writing down impressions. In wealthy homes, there was always a silver tray at the entrance where guests would leave their visiting cards. This tradition continues to be upheld at exquisite ceremonial events and social receptions to this day.