Georgian Mahogany Tray on Stand, 1790s

A Rare George III Period Mahogany Rectangular Butlers Tray, Of Superb Rich Colour And Patina, Having Attractive And Extremely Well Figured Segmented Oval Panel To Top, with Superbly Carved Elegant Scalloped Wavy Gallery To Edge, Raised On Later Square Chamfered Leg Mahogany Stand.


This is a particularly nice antique georgian tray, with extremely unusual and elegant design construction. The mahogany timbers used are rich and well figured and the segmented design really adds a lovely decorative feel to the piece. The gallery is also extremely well carved and there are certainly signs that this tray would have been produced in one of the very best 18th century cabonet making workshops.


It is now normal with most genuinely antique trays for them to have been removed from their original tall folding stands at some point and fitted onto a lower, more practical and sturdy stand constructed from old antique wood. It’s worth noting that generally this means an old broken table, or something similar which was destined for the scrapheap or bonfire, has therefore also been recycled and re-purposed.

During the 18th and 19th centuries a coffee table was not what we regard as a coffee table in the 21st century. Coffee tables back then were always full height, effectively side tables. The modern, low, coffee table is really something which began to be seen during the early 20th century onwards. Therefore using genuine antique trays, on low stands, is one of a small variety of different methods used to incorporate a coffee table into an interior for people who wish to furnish their properties with genuine antique furniture, whilst still allowing for the practicalities and function which is required in modern times.

As with all items which we offer for sale this antique coffee table has received a thorough inspection and natural wax polish by our traditional antique furniture restorers before being offered for sale, ensuring that it is in the best, most presentable, retail showroom condition. Overall the condition is good, it retains a nice warm colour and good surface and is very much ready for use.

Circa 1790.

Height 19.5in.
Width 29in.
Depth 22.5in.