18th century small ceramic tray, circa 1760 – 1790, as in museums

Being offered is a rare 18th century Chinese Export Lobed Miniature Tray  It has a diameter of 3 ½” and is 2” high. It has a finely wrought grisaille floral decoration on hard paste porcelain.  A small tray such as this would have had various purposes. It could have been used as a sauce boat, spoon tray, or for coins and jewelry, etc.

In the 18th century, most porcelain was imported from China, England, or replicated by other European manufacturers. There are similar examples of this dish in the Colonial Williamsburg Museum (see pictures).

During the Revolutionary War, ceramics and earthenware were common eating and drinking utensils used by both civilians and soldiers throughout the conflict. This is verified by the numerous shards found at Revolutionary War sites. Fragments are on display at the Fort Ticonderoga Museum (see pictures). This dish is in excellent condition and would make a great addition to a Colonial collection or even an assuaging side to a Revolutionary War collection.