Wonderful Silver Plated Copper Tray, Hand Embossed. Persia, Circa 1900

This gorgeous ornamental piece is a silver-plated copper tray, fully embossed by hand and decorated with images of people, animals, flowers and decorative fringes. The tray is in excellent condition and was made in Persia (now Iran) in the early 20th century. It is circular in shape, measures 59 cm and diameter and boasts an astonishing beauty. The border bears a filigree fringe with images of embossed flowers and gaps. This detail provides the piece with lightness and attractive, features that add to the lovely decoration. In the center of the tray there is a circular motive composed of intertwined flowers and birds. The flowers stand out on a punched background, being strongly marked and remarkably deep. The petals of each flower are carefully defined and enhanced by groups of lines that provide them with depth. The birds are delicately performed and show off the artists fine work, with nice details such as the feathers and the eyes. Surrounding this central motive and separated from it by a simple decorative fringe lays the decorations main theme. It depicts a parade of figures, probably priests or dignitaries, portrayed in profile and showing an archaic-like style. The figures are similar to the ones that appear in ancient Sumerian carvings and look very much like each other, with just small variations in the print of the clothes or the objects they carry. The parade is composed of bearded man carrying different items. Again, the attention to detail reflected in this scene is amazing; it really reveals the hand of a skillful and talented artist. Magnificent and very antique, this embossed tray will shine in any place decorated with lovely and exotic pieces. Measurements: Diameter: 23.2 in / 59 cm.