Lot 28
28
A REGENCY BLACK AND GILT-JAPANNED PAPIER-MACHE TRAY ON A MODERN BLACK AND GILT-JAPANNED STAND
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN (LOTS 12-38)
A REGENCY BLACK AND GILT-JAPANNED PAPIER-MACHE TRAY ON A MODERN BLACK AND GILT-JAPANNED STAND

THE TRAY BY CLAY

Details
A REGENCY BLACK AND GILT-JAPANNED PAPIER-MACHE TRAY ON A MODERN BLACK AND GILT-JAPANNED STAND
The tray by Clay
The tray with solid splayed gallery and decorated with a Chinese landscape with buildings and foliage, stamped on the underside 'CLAY, LONDON' below a crown, and with paper labels stamped 'KEMP SCRIVENS' and inscribed in pencil '31', on a later stand with square tapering sabre legs joined by an X-stretcher
Provenance
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 21 February 1997, lot 18.
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 24 April 1998, lot 41.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Henry Clay is a major figure in the history of japanning. After working as an apprentice in John Baskerville's company, he started his own business and eventually moved to London, vacating his Birmingham factory. He was commissioned by well known patrons including George III, Queen Charlotte, the Prince of Wales and Horace Walpole. Although he died in 1812, his firm continued under the same name for almost 50 years. From its inscription, it is possible to date this tray between 1812 and 1822 when Henry Clay's firm Clay and Company started using 'London' and a crown as a signature.

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