Snuffers tray 1777 - 1778

This silver tray, known as a "snuffers tray," was crafted by Charles Aldrich in 1777-1778. The tray's delicate openwork design features a repeating quatrefoil pattern, a common motif in 18th-century decorative arts. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City houses this piece, which exemplifies the skilled craftsmanship of the period. The tray's function was to hold extinguished candle snuffer tools. Snuffers trays like this were small, portable, and a sign of sophistication in the 18th century.