Very nicely painted mid-19th century paint decorated tinware (sometimes called toleware) platter.  The shell motif is an unusual one and, although the untouched surface has some craquelere and a great patina, the yellow still pops from the tray.  The center motif includes shells of several varieties, green plants with red stems that look a bit like underwater foliage, and flowers.  The rounded edge is decorated with a thick mustard-yellow stripe outside a smaller red pinstripe.  Yellow paint also lines the inside of the tray as it meets the gently sloping shoulder.  The ends of the tray have teardrop hand holes.  The lip is rolled.  19 3/4" x 15 3/4".  There is some paint loss that I've tried to accentuate with the photos.  It blends well with the background in person.  The tray has been attached to a plate tray for several decades.  There are light impressions at the top and bottom edges where the plate rack griped the paint…very minor and shown in close up photos below.  This is a nice, circa 3rd quarter of the 19th century tray with good presence and an excellent patina.

(#4036)   Sale Pending