The need for spoon trays first emerged in the first half of the 18th century, in response to the lack of a suitable utensil on which to rest – and display – silver teaspoons after use. This elliptical spoon tray with a scalloped rim is characteristic of early examples, and similar in shape to one depicted in a painting by Richard Collins, ‘A Family of Three at Tea’, ca.1727 (V&A; P.9&:1-1934). This ‘conversation piece’ shows a couple and their child seated around a tea table, laid out with all the tea-drinking accoutrements fashionable at this date. Silver spoon trays were later replaced by stoneware examples, which which manufactured in the Staffordshire potteries with novelty designs at a much lesser cost.
