Stellar Bread Tray on the Clearest of Blanks – SOLD

This tray was likely made by either Quaker City or Taylor Brothers. The resembelance to Taylor Brothers’ work may be more obvious to some collectors, but Quaker city was known to cut on thick, clear blanks for their better patterns – this one very much reminds me of the cutting done on the DuBarry pattern. The shape of the tray is cradle like, with higher ends than the remainder of the piece.

What obviously sets this piece apart upon first look is the edge-it’s what’s refereed to as a colonial edge, but whoever cut it took an extra step and added a coined edge to both the interior and exterior. Large, clusters of hobstars are traced with a wide, clear miter that circles throughout the entire pattern. The center portion of the design features hexagonal figures filled with either hobstars, hobnail, or cane. The border is decorated with heavy hobnail cutting that runs into the aforementioned colonial edge.

This design is quite rare – I have only ever seen 3 other pieces in it and I own two of them. The tray is in great condition save for one small area of roughness on the edge. The blank is second to none – thick, clear and radiant. This is a stunning example of an unknown, under-appreciated pattern.