A REGENCY PAPIER-MACHE AND RED AND GILT-JAPANNED TRAY by Henry Clay, decorated overall with butterflies and foliage, with raised tapering moulded sides, stamped Clay/King Street./Covt. Garden, distressed

The London manufactory titled 'Clay, King Street, Covent Garden' (flourished c.1801-1822) was established by Henry Clay (d.1812), who styled himself 'Japanner in Ordinary' to King George III and George, Prince of Wales. However, he had established his patent for manufacturing tea-trays, waiters etc. in 'high varnished paper' or pasteboard in 1772, when previously working in Birmingham. A related maroon set of Chinoiserie tea-trays of 'gold butterfly and foliage' pattern was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 13 July 1989, lot 1; and a single one from the Villiers David Collection was sold in these Rooms, 21 November 1985, lot 72. One with a black ground was sold anonymously at Sotheby's, New York, 24 October 1992, lot 384