This is a lovely Glasgow School Tray dating to the end of the 19th century / beginning of the 20th century.
It is certainly a fine decorative piece - and more unusual in that it is a silver-plated / nickel plate on brass example.
The tray is oval in shape - with a carefully applied pierced gallery surround stand with a wired edge on the top. The handles are beautiful additions and have a lovely shape to them - they are very tactile and make the tray easy to hold. Again, with a strong wired edge running around each handle aperture.
Around the outer edge of the flat tray section is a fabulous decorative Celtic entrelac design - on the longer side there is scrolling Celtic knotwork and on the shorter sides next to the handles are mystical dragon-type beats with fan-shaped tails (often seen on Gilmour pieces). I would suggest an attribution to Gilmour looking at some early Celtic designs for inspiration. Gilmour did not always sign her work, and when she did only with a small indiscrete MG monogram.
This tray and the motifs used on it are certainly comparable with other works by her that I have seen listed online and at auctions.
The Gilmour Studio produced a wide range of decorative metalware for the home including wall plaques, jardinières, clock faces, candle sconces, trays, mirrors, lamps, desk, and dressing table sets. Glasgow Style motifs were generally used in the Gilmour designs as were Celtic entrelacs,
The edging border behind the repousse decoration is textured with tiny hammered dots all over to create extra shade and texture. The central area is without decoration as you would probably have put a little embroidered cloth on here when serving drinks or treats - so no need for more fancy patterns - the central area is mirror-polished and very shiny with no owner inscriptions, scratches, marks or dents - just really lovely condition.
Just image this on your Arts and Crafts dresser or indeed on your sideboard with a selection of lovely crystal glasses on display.
The tray is not signed - but certainly coming from the world of Margaret Gilmour - who occasionally produced fine white metal works. These are often keenly sought after by specialist collectors.
Flip the tray over and you can see the quality in the making of this tray - there are applied ball feet - on raised applied half-moon section. You can see quite clearly where the design was carefully and expertly tapped through to the top of the tray.
So a fine antique example that would have taken a long time, as well as a lot of skill to make. I am tentatively going to attribute it to Margaret Gilmour - or her circle in Glasgow.
Dimensions: a nice large tray measuring 23 inches (58.5 cm) in length by 14 1/4 inches (36 cm) the height of a gallery around the side is an inch - and the handle height is 2 1/2 inches.
Unpacked it is about 1.6 kg in weight.
I have taken lots of images for your inspection so that you can assess all the details. It is a nice piece you won't be disappointed with it.
As nice an example as you might find outside of a specialist auction house.
It will be posted only to UK addresses - and will be sent with Parcelforce, insured, tracked and signed for.