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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

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A timber butterfly wing tray with leaves and berries (L:37cm x W:22cm)
May 15, 1:00 PM AEST
A timber butterfly wing tray with leaves and berries (L:37cm x W:22cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD909 Bids
Beautiful Inlaid Wooden Tray
May 18, 6:00 PM EDT
Beautiful Inlaid Wooden Tray
by Caswell Prewitt Realty, INC
Est: $0- $0
$506 Bids
1950s kitsch red & white part wicker serving tray (52 x 30cm)
May 15, 10:00 AM AEST
1950s kitsch red & white part wicker serving tray (52 x 30cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD40- AUD60
AUD304 Bids
Antique timber printer's tray (83 x 37cm)
May 15, 10:00 AM AEST
Antique timber printer's tray (83 x 37cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD70- AUD90
AUD453 Bids
DANSK CUTTING BOARD TRAY.
May 17, 10:00 AM EDT
DANSK CUTTING BOARD TRAY.
by Casco Bay Auctions
Est: $40- $60
$202 Bids
A Fornasetti Face and Stripes Serving Tray
May 15, 9:00 AM PDT
A Fornasetti Face and Stripes Serving Tray
by Abell Auction
Est: $500- $700
$2752 Bids
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Mosaic Wood Tray 14 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. (36.2 x 36.2 cm.)
May 14, 6:00 PM EDT
Mosaic Wood Tray 14 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. (36.2 x 36.2 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$42 Bids
A Polo Ralph Lauren Butler's Tray on Stand
May 15, 9:00 AM PDT
A Polo Ralph Lauren Butler's Tray on Stand
by Abell Auction
Est: $200- $300
$1252 Bids
Vintage Ronel Contemporary Wicker Bed Tray
May 17, 10:00 AM MST
Vintage Ronel Contemporary Wicker Bed Tray
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
A Group of MacKenzie-Childs Tableware
May 15, 9:00 AM PDT
A Group of MacKenzie-Childs Tableware
by Abell Auction
Est: $200- $300
$1001 Bid
An Art Deco Chrome and Briar Wood Tray
May 21, 6:00 PM AEST
An Art Deco Chrome and Briar Wood Tray
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD40- AUD80
AUD201 Bid
DANISH TEAK LETTER TRAY GROUPING C. 1960S
May 15, 2:00 PM EDT
DANISH TEAK LETTER TRAY GROUPING C. 1960S
by Westport Auction
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
ETTORE SOTTSASS (INNSBRUCK 1917 - MILANO 2007) TRAY
May 15, 3:00 PM CEST
ETTORE SOTTSASS (INNSBRUCK 1917 - MILANO 2007) TRAY
by Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.
Est: €400- €600
€3000 Bids
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Antique Floral Inlaid Wood Serving Tray
May 17, 9:00 AM CDT
Antique Floral Inlaid Wood Serving Tray
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$150 Bids
Wooden tray with two handles
May 14, 10:30 AM CEST
Wooden tray with two handles
by San Luca Casa d'Aste
Est: €0- €1
€200 Bids
Primitive painted apple board/tray
May 24, 9:00 AM EDT
Primitive painted apple board/tray
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
A Lobed Wood Tray,19/20th century
May 17, 2:00 PM BST
A Lobed Wood Tray,19/20th century
by Bennett & Dykes Ltd
Est: £100- £150
£800 Bids
Pair of Art Deco Butterfly Wing Wood Serving Trays
May 17, 12:00 PM EDT
Pair of Art Deco Butterfly Wing Wood Serving Trays
by Public Sale Auction House
Est: $100- $200
$250 Bids
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kl. Serviertablett, Holz mit Messinggriffen, Glas mit bestickten Tuch, 29x21 cm
May 31, 11:00 AM CEST
kl. Serviertablett, Holz mit Messinggriffen, Glas mit bestickten Tuch, 29x21 cm
by Auktionshalle Cuxhaven
Est: €0- €0
€50 Bids
Antique English Inlaid Wood Tray on Later Stand
May 23, 10:00 AM EDT
Antique English Inlaid Wood Tray on Later Stand
by Neue Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids
A George III Japanned Chinoiserie reticu
May 14, 10:00 AM BST
A George III Japanned Chinoiserie reticu
by Kinghams Auctioneers
Est: £40- £70
£200 Bids
SET OF STYLE TRENDS MAHOGANY TABLEWARES.
May 17, 10:00 AM EDT
SET OF STYLE TRENDS MAHOGANY TABLEWARES.
by Casco Bay Auctions
Est: $80- $120
$400 Bids
TWO CUTLERY TRAYS.
May 17, 10:00 AM EDT
TWO CUTLERY TRAYS.
by Amelia Jeffers
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
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Collection European Dark Wood Dough Bowls and Trays
May 25, 10:00 AM CDT
Collection European Dark Wood Dough Bowls and Trays
by Rivich Auction
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Wooden Trays


Abell Auction

Abell Auction

Lawsons

Lawsons

Main Auction Galleries

Main Auction Galleries

Amelia Jeffers

Amelia Jeffers