Presenteerblad van messing c. 1900 - 1910

This is a brass presentation tray, made by G. Dikkers & Co. It has a gleam, a metallic gold, but what gets me are the faint floral decorations in each corner. It's so understated, and the fact that its function is literally to 'present', makes you wonder what stories it could tell. There's a beauty in functional objects, isn't there? The marks of the maker are there if you look closely, but they're so subtle; a little scratch here, a slight discoloration there. This tray feels sturdy, like it's been around, maybe seen a thing or two. The floral design, though minimal, brings a touch of nature indoors, a bit like those old William Morris prints. It reminds me of the work of Christopher Dresser, that Victorian-era designer who was all about simple forms and honest materials. This tray, with its quiet elegance and understated ornamentation, feels like it's part of that conversation; the ongoing dialogue between form, function, and beauty.