Here's a fabulous antique souvenir of Margate, the British Seaside Resort town that remains an attraction today (info added on this site). This is one that would have been a Victorian era souvenir of the Grand Tour visitor's trip to Margate, a beach retreat enjoyed for hundreds of years in England. The back-painted glass or 'eglomise' miniature painting has a pearl underlayment which makes the building shimmer in light. The architectural detail is amazing when you consider the painting itself is well under 3" in diameter. The tray was likely originally called a 'visiting or calling card tray', set on an entryway table for callers to leave their engraved name cards. These trays are fabulous to collect now, and are fun to use for cakes, desserts or just to display with your collection. I tilt mine up so they're wonderfully self-framed pictures/artwork that intersperse my antique books on our bookshelves. Those of you who shop with us know how much we love these old eglomise souvenirs - so much nicer than the screened t-shirts we're forced to bring back with us now from any/all destinations. Buy your elegant antique souvenirs from us, travel at will, and remember your travels as the Victorians did - charming!
Very good condition. Some very slight lifting to the reverse painted glass insert but no chips, cracks, etc. The heavy gild ormolu is intact and undamaged. Â See pictures for measurements.
