Sterling silver tray, rectangular, signed – approx. 47×35 cm

If you want to place not just two glasses on it, but the carafe as well, along with a bowl of olives, and still have room for two more glasses — then this is the format for you. Of the three rectangular sizes, it is the most popular: large enough for an evening, small enough to lift with both hands.

At a glance

• Rectangular serving tray made of 925 sterling silver
• Dimensions approx. 47 × 35 cm — silver weight approx. 1.35 kg
• Rim fully chased by hand, acanthus scrolls with small flowers
• Curved, arched contour, fine beaded edge on the outer rim
• Large, smooth central field, free of ornamentation
• Zaramella Argenti, Padua — manufacture since 1948

Why size makes the difference

Trays usually fail not because of their appearance, but because of their size. Too small, and you have to carry things twice. Too large, and it fits neither on the sideboard nor through the door to the conservatory. Approx. 47 × 35 cm is the format that safely carries a carafe with four to six glasses while still being grabbable with one hand on the rim.

The weight helps with this: at approx. 1.35 kg of silver, the tray sits firmly on the surface and does not slide when a glass is set down. The raised, curved rim keeps what is on it secure — even while being carried.

The rim — chased, not stamped

The rim (or "flag," as the surrounding edge of a tray is called) is chased by hand: the pattern is driven into the silver with punches, blow by blow. You can tell by the fact that the scrolls have genuine depth and no two sections are exactly alike. Stamping would be more uniform — and lifeless.

The motif is the acanthus, the jagged leaf that has adorned capitals since antiquity and made its way onto tableware via the Italian Renaissance. Small flowers sit between the scrolls. A fine beaded edge completes the rim on the outside, and a curved step leads to the central field on the inside.

Material and origin

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

Zaramella Argenti has been operating in Padua since 1948. Within the company, the Signature line is the most richly chased — the same ornamental language is shared by the wine carafe set in the line, which finds its place on a tray of this size.

Uses

An aperitif for six, the coffee table with a pot, creamer, and cups, dessert in small bowls, the cheese board with knives and bread. At a reception, it carries filled glasses through the room without you having to worry about every step.

Away from the table, it becomes a stage: on a dresser for a carafe and glasses as a permanent arrangement, on a sideboard for candlesticks, or on an end table next to an armchair. Silver that remains in use develops a depth that it never acquires while sitting in a cupboard.

Engraving

On this format, the central field offers an unusually large, flat surface without ornamentation — plenty of room for a multi-line dedication, a monogram, or a family crest. Engraving is possible upon inspection; we will coordinate placement and size with you in advance, because with this surface area, scale determines the effect. Upon request, we can include a SilberVerse card, digitally designed in a 15 × 10 cm format, free of charge.

Occasions

As a wedding gift, a tray of this size is one of the few presents that will accompany a couple for decades — it survives moves and changes in interior design styles. For a silver anniversary, it brings everything full circle. For a major birthday, a housewarming, or as a gift for business partners, it stands in place where a bouquet of flowers would be too fleeting.

Care

Clean by hand with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth, then dry thoroughly. No dishwasher: cleaning salts attack the surface, and moisture remains trapped in the chased recesses. Tarnish is not a defect, but a reaction with sulfur in the air — a silver polishing cloth restores the shine. The darker depth may remain in the scrolls; it gives the ornament a three-dimensional quality. More on this in our guide on the care of silver cutlery and silver tableware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Solid or silver-plated?

Solid 925 sterling silver with a material weight of approx. 1.35 kg, not plated.

How many glasses does it hold?

A carafe with four to six glasses can be held securely. For a larger arrangement, the same model is available in approx. 53 × 40 cm.

Can I serve food directly on it?

Yes. For highly acidic foods, we recommend using an underlay and cleaning it promptly.

Is the model available in other sizes?

Yes — as approx. 39×28 cm and as approx. 53×40 cm. All three formats have the same design; they only differ in size.

Is it delivered in gift packaging?

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

The middle size — and why it is usually the one chosen

Of the three formats of this model, this is the most frequently chosen. At approx. 47×35 cm, it carries eight to ten glasses or a complete coffee service for four, yet remains easy to lift with both hands.

• approx. 39×28 cm — for daily use, one-handed
• approx. 47×35 cm — this tray
• approx. 53×40 cm — for serving at a large table

All three are crafted with the same design. Anyone who owns two of them has not a duplicate, but a collection — they can be placed side by side without the edges or the width of the ornaments differing from one another.

You might also be interested in

You can find further formats and shapes in our silver trays, the entire assortment in tableware & silver service, and matching carafes & pitchers. All pieces in the line are gathered together in the Signature by Zaramella category.