Sterling silver tray 925 silver signature rectangular — approx. 39×28 cm

A tray is rarely the centerpiece of a table — and yet it carries it. This one is the entry point into the rectangular series: the size that remains practical for everyday use and shows character on a festive day. If you are unsure which format you need, this is generally the one to choose — a tray that is too large stays in the cupboard.

At a glance

• Rectangular serving tray made of 925 sterling silver
• Dimensions approx. 39 × 28 cm
• Border entirely hand-chased — acanthus scrolls with small flowers
• Curved contour with a fine beaded edge on the outside
• Smooth, ornament-free center — ideal surface for an engraving
• Handcrafted in Italy by Zaramella Argenti, a manufacture established in 1948
• From the Signature line

Form and ornament

The rim — as the surrounding border of a tray is called — is the true highlight of the work. It is not stamped, but chased: the pattern is driven into the silver by hand using punches, stroke by stroke. This is how you can recognize the technique on the finished piece — the scrolls have depth, the leaves cast real shadows, and no two sections are exactly alike.

The motif is the acanthus, the serrated leaf that has adorned capitals and silverware since antiquity and entered table culture via the Italian Renaissance. Small flowers sit between the scrolls. A fine beaded edge finishes the rim on the outside, while a curved step transitions inward to the center.

This center — the smooth inner surface — has been deliberately left clear. It lets candlelight play, provides a calm base for glasses and carafes, and accepts an engraving without competing with the ornament.

Material and origin

With a piece of this construction, the material determines the feasibility: The chased rim could not be produced on silver plating — it would tear during the hammering process. And a tray that is actually used can only withstand polishing if it is solid silver throughout.

Zaramella Argenti has been producing in Padua since 1948. The company’s signature style is understated — it lies in the purity of the form and the meticulousness of the edge work. Within this assortment, the Signature line is the most richly chased: featuring the same ornamental language that you will also find on the decanter set from the Signature line.

What fits on it

Rectangular and approx. 39 × 28 cm — this is the size for two to four glasses with a carafe, for a coffee pot with cups, or for pastries and chocolates with an espresso. At a reception, it carries filled champagne flutes; at dinner, it serves as a base for a carafe or bread and butter.

Just as often, such a tray is not found on the dining table at all, but on the console table in the hallway: for keys and mail, in the dressing room for jewelry, or on the desk for pens and glasses. Silver that is used ages more beautifully than silver that sits in a cupboard.

Engraving and SilberVerse card

The smooth center is an exceptionally good engraving surface — large, flat, and without ornaments to work around. Names, a date, a dedication, a monogram, or a family crest can be placed here. An engraving is possible upon review; we will advise you in advance on placement, scope, and technique, because with a piece of this size, the positioning determines the overall effect.

Upon request, we will include a SilberVerse card — a digitally designed card in 15 × 10 cm format, written solely for your occasion. It is complimentary.

Occasions

For a wedding, a silver tray is one of the few gifts that truly accompanies a couple throughout their lives — it outlasts moves, changes in taste, and generations of furniture. For a silver wedding anniversary, the circle closes in an obvious way. For a milestone birthday, a housewarming, as a thank you to best men or bridesmaids, or as a prestigious gift for business partners, it is appropriate where flowers would be too fleeting and a card too little.

Care

Clean the tray by hand with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth, then dry thoroughly. The dishwasher is not for chased silver: cleaning salts attack the surface, and moisture remains trapped in the recesses. Tarnishing is not a defect, but a reaction with sulfur in the air — a silver polishing cloth will restore the shine. You can safely leave the darker depth in the scrolls: it gives the ornament a three-dimensional effect. More detailed information can be found in our guide on the care of silver cutlery and silver tableware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tray solid silver or silver-plated?

Solid 925 sterling silver, not plated.

Can I serve food directly on it?

925 sterling silver is 92.5% fine silver; clean the piece after every use with warm water and mild dish soap. For highly acidic foods, we recommend using a napkin or a small dish as a liner and cleaning it promptly afterward.

How large is the engraving area?

The smooth center comprises the largest part of the inner surface. There is ample room for a multi-line dedication or a coat of arms. We will coordinate the exact design with you in advance.

Is it delivered in gift packaging?

Yes, the tray comes in high-quality packaging from the manufacture, ready to be presented.

Are there matching pieces available?

The same model is available in two other sizes: approx. 47×35 cm and approx. 53×40 cm. All three are identical in form, so they look great as a set when placed side by side.

The smallest of the three sizes

Zaramella produces this model in three formats. They differ only in size — the contour, rim, and chasing are identical:

• approx. 39×28 cm — this tray: glasses for four to six people, carafe with two tumblers, mail on the console
• approx. 47×35 cm — the medium size for eight to ten glasses
• approx. 53×40 cm — the serving format for a full table

If you are unsure, you should generally choose the smaller one: a tray that is too big for everyday use will stay in the cupboard. This one can be carried with one hand and fits on any sideboard.

Round alternatives of similar workmanship can be found in the Silver Trays category.

You might also be interested in

You can find more pieces in our Silver Trays collection, in the entire Tableware & Silverware section, or among the carafes & pitchers that find their place on a tray of this size. All pieces in the line are grouped together in the Signature by Zaramella category.