Arts & Crafts Joseph Sankey & Sons Copper Tray

Late Victorian

Circa 1890–1910 | England

A large antique Arts & Crafts copper tray by Joseph Sankey & Sons. The tray is made of solid copper which has a lovely warm patina from many years of handling. It is decorated in repoussé with fruit, perhaps peaches, or it could even be apples. Joseph Sankey started his long career as a tray blank maker at the age of 14 (see The Gen). The simplicity and graceful lines of the tray and its representation of nature make it as desirable as the day it was made.

DIMENSIONS: Length 39.8 cm, Width 29 cm.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Inscribed MADE IN ENGLAND. J.S. And S. SOLID COPPER.

CONDITION: In very good condition, wear consistent with an antique age and use. The tray has scratches, marks and minor dents. However, it does sit flat.

All my antique copper comes in as found ‘unrestored’ condition with the years of history retained in the lovely patina created by surface marks made by ordinary kitchen use. The choice then becomes yours whether to have the item polished, or the tin relined, and a decorative item can once more become a treasured new kitchen utensil to be loved and used by a new gen. At times an item may already have been lovingly polished by a previous owner and the copper will show off its rosy glow. Whether polished or not, the patina adds to the history of the item and wonder of the stories it could tell.

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THE GEN

Joseph Sankey started his long career as a tray blank maker at the age of 14 in 1836 and started his own business in 1861. His sons John, Fredrick and George took over running of the business in 1891 after their father’s death. Read more about the wonderful history of Joseph Sankey and Sons and here.

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