Tray
1744–45
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 3/4 × 5 3/4 × 9 3/8 in. (1.9 × 14.6 × 23.8 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Silver
Culture
French, Angers
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Catherine D. Wentworth, 1948
Accession Number
48.187.164
Art Historical Context
This delicate silver tray, crafted by Hugé of Angers, France, around 1744–45, exemplifies the refined metalwork of the French Rococo era. Measuring just 3/4 × 5 3/4 × 9 3/8 inches, it was likely designed for serving small delicacies, tea, or toiletries in an affluent household. Hugé, a master silversmith the provincial center of Angers, showcased the region's renowned tradition of high-quality silver production, blending functionality with subtle ornamentation typical of mid-18th-century decorative arts. Silver trays like this were status symbols, reflecting the opulence of Louis XV's courtly...