Loading Spinner

Wooden Trays

Trays, or shallow platforms used to transport and hold objects, are made of many different materials, including gold, silver, bronze, sheet iron, and wood. Ranging from luxury options to disposable, one-use versions, trays serve a wide variety of purposes depending on the social context.

In Japan, wooden trays have been used for centuries as serving platters for snacks, such as sliced fruit and tea. They are often made of keyaki, a valuable type of tree used extensively in Japanese woodworking, with the platter and handles carved from the same piece of wood. Also used frequently in Japan are small Shinto altars called kamidana, or “god shelves,” which consist of a wooden tray filled with sprigs of pine, food offerings, sake, candles, and talismans of local gods.

Today, many people use metal and plastic trays because they are mass-produced, affordable, and easy to clean. However, collectors of wooden objects prefer the individuality, craftsmanship, and exquisite detail of wooden trays and purchase antique and modern pieces to accentuate their homes.


Quick Facts

  • On October 6, 2015, Bonham’s London sold a mother-of-pearl and black lacquer overlaid wood tray made in northern India during the 18th century for $1,470,000
  • On June 3, 2015, Christie’s Hong Kong sold an imperial polychrome lacquer quatrefoil tray made during Emperor Jiajin’s rule (1522-1566) for $595,792

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

CHIPPENDALE MAHOGANY SERVING TRAY
Oct 01, 11:00 AM EDT
CHIPPENDALE MAHOGANY SERVING TRAY
by CRN Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1503 Bids
Glass Top Inlaid Wood Serving Tray W Handles
Oct 25, 10:00 AM EDT
Glass Top Inlaid Wood Serving Tray W Handles
by The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc.
Est: $50- $100
$22 Bids
SET OF 4- OAK TV TRAYS W/ STAND
Sep 30, 12:00 PM EDT
SET OF 4- OAK TV TRAYS W/ STAND
by Lakelands Auction Service
Est: $0- $0
$52 Bids
Miniature Pennsylvania painted knife tray, 19th c.
Oct 05, 9:00 AM EDT
Miniature Pennsylvania painted knife tray, 19th c.
by Pook & Pook Inc.
Est: $300- $500
$1501 Bid
French relief carved walnut tray with naturalistic handles
Sep 30, 10:00 AM EDT
French relief carved walnut tray with naturalistic handles
by King Galleries
Est: $300- $450
$1501 Bid
Large Wooden Serving Tray
Oct 04, 6:00 PM EDT
Large Wooden Serving Tray
by Aether Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$11 Bid
Antique Wooden Serving Tray with Handle
Sep 30, 10:00 AM EDT
Antique Wooden Serving Tray with Handle
by Paul Arsenault Auctioneers
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
LARGE JAMES THE BUTLER DRINKING SIDE TABLE TRAY
Sep 30, 10:00 AM EDT
LARGE JAMES THE BUTLER DRINKING SIDE TABLE TRAY
by Antique Arena Inc
Est: $100- $150
$500 Bids
lot diverse waaronder mahonie dienblad, koperen ka…
Oct 05, 7:00 PM CEST
lot diverse waaronder mahonie dienblad, koperen ka…
by Veilinghuis Van Spengen
Est: €100- €150
€1000 Bids
houten butlertray op inklapbaar onderstel, 19e eeu…
Oct 02, 7:00 PM CEST
houten butlertray op inklapbaar onderstel, 19e eeu…
by Veilinghuis Van Spengen
Est: €100- €200
€1000 Bids
Emile GALLÈ (1846-1904), Jugendstil Tablett / An Art Nouveau tray, um 1900
Oct 07, 9:00 AM CEST
Emile GALLÈ (1846-1904), Jugendstil Tablett / An Art Nouveau tray, um 1900
by Auktionshaus Schwab
Est: €360- €720
€3600 Bids
A Fine 19th Century Oval Inlaid Mahogany Tray with wavy edged gallery and gilt bronze handles either
Oct 01, 11:00 AM BST
A Fine 19th Century Oval Inlaid Mahogany Tray with wavy edged gallery and gilt bronze handles either
by Wilkinson's Auctioneers
Est: £200- £300
£1200 Bids
A 19TH CENTURY OVAL MAHOGANY TRAY, with twin applied handles
Oct 09, 3:00 PM IST
A 19TH CENTURY OVAL MAHOGANY TRAY, with twin applied handles
by Adam's
Est: €50- €80
€300 Bids
Art Deco tray, wood / silver.
Oct 10, 10:00 AM CEST
Art Deco tray, wood / silver.
by Veilinghuis de Ruiter
Est: €300- €500
€3000 Bids
3 Antique trays
Oct 13, 10:00 AM CEST
3 Antique trays
by Twents Veilinghuis
Est: €0- €0
€500 Bids
Sambonet, pair of serving trays
Oct 18, 10:30 AM CEST
Sambonet, pair of serving trays
by Colasanti Casa d'Aste
Est: €50- €70
€400 Bids
Salver, 1860
Oct 13, 10:00 AM CEST
Salver, 1860
by Twents Veilinghuis
Est: €0- €0
€600 Bids
Vintage Double Handle Wooden Tray
Sep 30, 1:00 PM EDT
Vintage Double Handle Wooden Tray
by Designer Homes of Central Florida
Est: $25- $250
$250 Bids
A Carved Small Wood Tray
Oct 01, 1:00 PM EDT
A Carved Small Wood Tray
by Designer Homes of Central Florida
Est: $10- $100
$100 Bids
Large Nakashima style free edge walnut tray
Oct 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Large Nakashima style free edge walnut tray
by Millea Bros Ltd
Est: $80- $125
$400 Bids
Hand Painted Wooden Tray
Sep 30, 1:00 PM EDT
Hand Painted Wooden Tray
by Designer Homes of Central Florida
Est: $50- $500
$500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Wooden Trays


Stair

Stair

Adam's

Adam's

King Galleries

King Galleries

Hannam's Auctioneers

Hannam's Auctioneers