Crumb Sweep Appraisal

Victorian Era Silver-Plated Crumb Tray

This is a vintage or antique metal crumb tray, likely made of silver-plated brass or copper, designed in a classic late Victorian or early Edwardian style. The tray features a distinctive shield-like silhouette with a flat leading edge for sweeping crumbs and a raised, decorative handle section at the top. The ornamentation includes ornate acanthus leaf scrolls and floral motifs along the curved borders, culminating in a central medallion or cartouche that is currently blank. A small integrated metal ring is attached at the very top for hanging storage. The surface displays significant signs of age and use, characterized by heavy tarnish, oxidation, and prominent areas of 'bleeding' where the silver plating has worn away to reveal the warm yellowish base metal beneath. There are visible surface scratches, pitting, and possible minor denting along the thin edges. The craftsmanship indicates a mass-produced but high-quality domestic item from the late 19th to early 20th century. Such trays were traditionally paired with a matching brush for clearing tabletops between courses in formal dining settings.