Very Rare Matthew Boulton "Old Sheffield Plate" Tray Circa 1784

This"Old Sheffield Plate" tray was a masterpiece in its time.  It bears the twin suns mark of the renowned Matthew Boulton.  It dates to the late 1700's or very early 1800's.  Matthew Boulton pieces are highly collectible and very valuable.  They are rare and run in the multiple thousands on sites like First Dibs and others.  If you value true antiquities made during the Revolutionary War, this tray is for you.  

This gorgeous tray has a very unique design of flat chasing on the face of flowers and leaves. The rim design is scroll, leaf, flowers and shells. It stands on ornate acanthus leaf legs. It is 8" wide.  It is in  fabulous antique condition with only very minor peaks of copper at the base of the trim where it joins the plate. If you look at the bottom of the plate you can see the craftsmanship of "Old Sheffield Plate".

Matthew Boulton, born on September 3, 1728, in Birmingham, England, was not a traditional goldsmith or silversmith, but his achievements and contributions to the craft earned him recognition as one of England's great goldsmiths. He took over his father's toy and silver-stamping business in 1749 and later realized his ambition of creating a manufacturing complex called Soho in 1761. The Soho factory produced a wide range of items, including steel toys, buttons, buckles, Sheffield plate, and solid silver pieces. Boulton became a significant figure in the Sheffield plate industry, registering his mark "twin suns" in 1784. Notable designers like Robert Adams and James Wyatt collaborated on Boulton's neo-classic taste designs. Matthew Boulton passed away on August 17, 1809, and his mark, "MB," continued to be used by the Matthew Boulton Plate Co until 1832.

'Old Sheffield Plate', an exquisite and rare craftsmanship not to be mistaken for the later and inferior 'SHEFFIELD PLATE' items, stands as a testament to the ingenuity of mid-18th-century British artisans. This unparalleled process involved delicately layering a sheet of lustrous sterling silver over a core of copper, skillfully heating and meticulously rolling it into splendid sheets. These precious sheets were then transformed into an array of opulent table items, ranging from intricate hollow-ware and resplendent trays to elegant candelabras, candlesticks, wine coasters, and, on rare occasions, even exquisite cutlery.

Collectors hold this exceptional method of silver plating in the highest regard, acknowledging it’s craftsmanship and rarity. With the advent of electroplating, a groundbreaking innovation introduced by Elkington & Company in 1840, the production of 'Old Sheffield Plate' came to a halt, marking the end of an era defined by hand crafted ingenuity and unparalleled quality. Today, these pieces serve as cherished treasures, a testament to the unparalleled artistry and mastery that once graced the tables of the most discerning connoisseurs.