What Is a Tole Tray?

Tole trays are appreciated for their beauty and quality. Treasured in museums and as family heirlooms these trays have been enjoyed for centuries. They are also a form of art to pursue for today's crafter. Tole trays are detailed art pieces that have been made to be used daily.

History

In the 1700s tole painting began in the Schools of Art in the United Kingdom. Teachers instructed apprentices in the art of decorative painting. This original form of "one stroke painting" was used to paint metal trays and later coffee pots and other forms of enamel ware. A painter would be hired by businesses in the UK. The technique of double and triple loading colors of paint into a brush helped commercial artists put out products more quickly. The wet on wet technique and use of multiple colors at once increased production. In the 1790s to 1870s tole painting pieces were gilded. Scandinavian immigrants introduced tole painting to the New England region of the United States during the 1800s.

Identification

A true tole tray is painted on metal. An enameled or lacquered coat, predominantly matte black, is applied to the tray. A tole tray then has designs painted on it. Generally it has bright, colorful flowers. Brush work emphasizes individual petals to complete an entire flower. An antique tole tray that a family has saved or collected can be worth thousands of dollars if it is in mint condition. A tole tray should be appraised by an expert to be sure it is authentic.

Potential

A tole tray might include a mixture of realistically depicted flowers or a bouquet of a dominant flower with leaves. Photos of antique trays show beautiful trays that are filled with paintings, inlaid mother of pearl or trimmed in gold leaf. Rare antique ones feature full paintings of ships, scenery and still life's done in oil paints.

Considerations

Tole trays can be used daily or hung as kitchen or dining room wall art. They function as snack, holiday or breakfast trays. You will need to keep them clean and dry to prevent rust spots particularly if there are nicks in the paint at the edges. Large trays can be set up on legs for unique end tables. In the 1700 to 1800's small tole trays were placed in the entry way of a home. Visitors would drop their calling cards into these decorative trays. If you are able to find one of these smaller trays today you can use it as a key and coin holder in your entryway.

Types

Tole painting is now done on many surfaces. The popularity of painting wood, papier mache and glassware gives the crafter a variety to work with. Tole painting can be done on wooden trays. Metal is the original and best surface for a tole tray. The surface is less able to be damaged as wood can. Acrylic paint works fine for the modern tole artist. Tole and folk art painting is also a decorative style to use on furniture in cottage and shabby chic rooms.