Quick answer
Florentine wooden trays are gilded and painted decorative trays in an Italian style, typically a lightweight carved wood base finished with gold leaf or gold paint, often with a painted or cream center. Dealers commonly date the classic examples to the mid twentieth century and report marks such as "Made in Italy" on the reverse. "Florentine" is also used loosely as a style name, so not every tray sold that way came from Florence. They are decorative pieces: use them for drinks in glasses, perfume, keys or display, not for food directly.
What makes a tray "Florentine"
Sellers use "Florentine" for a recognizable look: scalloped or shaped edges, gold leaf or gold paint, and decoration in a Renaissance-inspired style such as scrolls, leaves, flowers or a central painted panel, sometimes on a white, cream or colored ground. Dealer listings describe these trays as made with toleware methods on a lightweight carved wood base. "Tole" or "toleware" normally refers to painted metal, but the word is used widely in listings for painted wooden trays in this style too.
Most dealer listings place the classic production in the mid twentieth century, roughly the 1940s to 1960s, though individual listings range wider. One commercial value guide places the style around 1940 to 1960. Treat these as ranges dealers use, not a firm date for any one tray.
Common Florentine tray styles
| Style | Description | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Gilt rectangular tray with handles | Gold-finished frame, cut-out or scroll handles, painted or cream center | Vanity, bar, coffee table |
| Round or oval tray with scalloped rim | Shaped edge, gilt border, floral or leaf decoration | Dresser, entry table |
| Nesting or graduated sets | Two or three trays in matching style and sizes | Display, styling |
| Tray tables | Gilt tray set on a folding or fixed stand | Side table |
| Small trinket and pin trays | Miniature versions of the larger styles | Jewelry, keys |
Florentine wooden trays: what to check before buying
Six checks
- Marks: look on the reverse for "Made in Italy," a maker's initials or a city name. One dealer listing reports "V.O. Florence Made in Italy"; others report "Made in Italy" alone.
- Gilding: genuine wear on gold leaf shows on high points and edges, often with the base color or wood showing through. Fresh, even gold spray paint suggests a later repaint.
- Brushwork: hand-painted decoration shows small variations; printed decoration is uniform.
- Base: check for cracks, splits at the handles and lifting decoration at the edges.
- Flaking: lifting gold or paint is common on older trays. It affects display quality and is a reason never to serve food on the surface.
- Size and flatness: measure the flat inner area; many have shaped rims that reduce usable space.
Reading marks and labels
Marks on Florentine trays vary. Some carry a stamped or painted "Made in Italy," sometimes with initials or a city, and some carry a paper label. Many have nothing at all. A "Made in Italy" mark supports Italian manufacture; it does not by itself prove the tray was made in Florence or in a particular decade. Unmarked trays in the style were also made elsewhere, and new trays in the style are still produced and sold.
If a tray is offered at a premium as an early or significant piece, ask for photos of the reverse, details of any restoration, and provenance. For a valuable piece, an appraiser with Italian decorative arts experience is the right person to ask. We do not value or authenticate trays.
Are Florentine trays safe for food?
Treat them as decorative. The surface is gilding and paint of unknown composition, frequently with wear and flaking. Nothing about the style suggests it was made for direct food contact, and older paint can contain lead: EPA presumes homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint unless tested, and the same caution applies to old painted objects. Use the tray to carry glasses, display perfume bottles, hold jewelry, or set dishes on. See can you put food on a vintage wooden tray.
How to care for a Florentine tray
- Dust with a soft, dry brush or cloth.
- If needed, wipe unpainted areas with a barely damp cloth and dry immediately. Avoid water on gilding.
- Never soak, scrub or use cleaning sprays; they can lift gold leaf and paint.
- Use coasters for glasses to keep rings and moisture off the surface.
- Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat, which can dry and crack the base.
- For lifting gilding on a valuable piece, consult a conservator rather than gluing it yourself.
Styling ideas
- Vanity tray: perfume bottles, a small dish for rings and a candle.
- Bar tray: a decanter and glasses on coasters.
- Wall display: a group of small trays hung together. Use hangers that do not press on the painted surface.
- Entry table: keys and mail.
- Layering: a small gilt tray on a larger plain wood tray for contrast.
For sizing, measure the flat area inside the rim and compare it with what will sit on it; see the size guide.
New vintage-style alternatives
New trays in a gilt or Italian style are widely available and are usually metal, resin or wood with a gold finish. Check the material if you specifically want wood, and treat any decorative gilt finish as decor. We have not tested these; use the checks above.
Browse on Amazon
- Florentine-style decorative traysUsually new; check whether the base is wood, metal or resin.
- Gold wooden vanity traysCheck for a wood base and size.
- Gilded wood trays with handlesDecorative finish; use coasters.
These are Amazon search links, not endorsements of every result. Use the checks on this page to filter them.
Gold oval tray
- A new antique-gold oval tray with a mirrored base, 17 x 10 inches.
- Check the material if you specifically want wood.
Baroque gold pair
- Two new baroque-style gold trays with mirrored bases for vanities and bar carts.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Florentine trays by size
| Approximate size | Typical use | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Under about 8 inches | Rings, keys, pins | Often sold as trinket trays |
| About 10 to 14 inches | Perfume and vanity | Most common size range in listings |
| About 15 to 20 inches | Bar or coffee table | Check handle sturdiness when loaded |
| Over about 20 inches | Tray tables and display | Often paired with a stand |
Because rims are often shaped and raised, the usable space on a Florentine tray can be noticeably smaller than its outside size. Perfume bottles and glasses need a flat, stable spot, so measure the inner panel before buying a tray for a specific set.
Condition grades in plain words
| Condition | What it looks like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | Gilding bright with light wear on high points, no flaking, no cracks | Display and collecting |
| Good | Even wear, small areas of rubbed gold, stable paint | Everyday decorative use |
| Fair | Noticeable rubbing, small flakes or chips, minor base cracks | Casual decor; handle gently |
| Poor | Active flaking, open cracks, loose handles | Restoration project or wall display only |
Pairing a Florentine tray with the rest of a room
The gold and painted finish reads as formal and a little romantic, which is why these trays turn up on dressers, bar carts and bedside tables. In a modern room, one small gilt tray stands out as an accent. In a traditional room, a matching set of graduated trays can carry a whole vignette. Keep heavy or wet items off delicate painted centers, and rotate what sits on the tray now and then so the same spots do not wear through.
If you collect them, group trays of similar color or decoration on a wall. Lay them out on the floor first to plan spacing, and keep them away from bathrooms and kitchens where humidity changes are greatest.
Florentine trays in a modern home
Gilt Florentine trays read as traditional, but they can work well in modern rooms when used as a single accent. A small gold tray on a white marble or glass side table, holding a perfume bottle and a candle, adds warmth and texture without looking fussy. On a bar cart, a Florentine tray under a decanter adds a touch of glamour to clean-lined furniture.
In traditional rooms, groups of trays work well: graduated sizes on a dresser, or a cluster on a wall. Keep the background plain so the decoration shows. Whatever the room, the rule is the same: protect the surface from water, spills and heavy objects, and enjoy it as a decorative piece.
Buying online: what photos to ask for
Because gilding and paint condition drive how a Florentine tray looks, ask for photos in daylight rather than under warm indoor lights, which hide wear. Ask for a close-up of the edges and handles, where gold rubs first, and of the back, where any mark or label would be. A photo at an angle shows flaking more clearly than a straight-on shot. If the seller describes restoration, ask what was done and when.
Storing Florentine trays
Store gilt trays flat, wrapped in acid-free tissue or a soft cloth, in a dry room. Avoid stacking heavy items on them, which can crack the base or rub the gilding. Never store them in damp basements or hot attics.
Florentine trays in photographs
Gilt surfaces photograph very differently under warm indoor light, daylight and camera flash, which is why online buyers are sometimes surprised. Warm light makes gold look rich and hides wear; flash exaggerates flaking and shine. If you are buying online, ask for one daylight photo taken without flash, from a slight angle, which gives the most honest view of the surface.
How we researched this guide
Style descriptions, construction notes and reported marks come from dealer listings on 1stDibs and Chairish and from marketplace listings for Italian Florentine trays, which we treat as examples of how the trays are described. The date ranges are dealers' ranges, not verified production records. Lead guidance is from EPA. We have not handled the trays described and do not value or authenticate them.
Decision summary
- For a collectible: look for marks, hand-painted variation and honest wear, and ask about restoration.
- For decor: unmarked trays in good condition are attractive and useful as display pieces.
- For food: do not serve directly on any gilt or painted tray; use dishes on top.
Frequently asked questions
Are Florentine trays made of wood or metal?
Both exist. The classic Italian gilt trays dealers describe are usually a lightweight carved wood base. Many modern Florentine-style trays are metal or resin.
Does "Florentine" mean made in Florence?
Not necessarily. It is widely used as a style name. A "Made in Italy" mark supports Italian manufacture but not a specific city.
How old are Florentine trays?
Dealers most often date them to the mid twentieth century, roughly the 1940s to 1960s, with wider ranges for individual pieces.
Can I repaint the gold on a Florentine tray?
You can on a plain decor piece, but it removes the original surface. Do not sand old paint, which may contain lead.
How do I hang a Florentine tray on a wall?
Use plate-style hangers or adhesive-free display hooks that grip the edge, and avoid pressure on painted areas.
Why is the gold flaking off my tray?
Age, humidity changes and handling lift gilding. Keep it dry and out of sun, and ask a conservator about stabilizing a valuable piece.
Can a Florentine tray hold drinks?
Yes, with coasters. Wipe spills immediately, since moisture can lift paint and gilding.
Are Florentine trays valuable?
We do not value items. Prices depend on age, maker, condition and demand, and dealer prices vary widely. An appraiser can help with a specific piece.
Can I use a Florentine tray in the bathroom?
Humidity can lift paint and gilding over time. A dressing table in a bedroom is usually a kinder place for an older tray.
Can a Florentine tray be restored?
A conservator can stabilize flaking gilding. Repainting or regilding changes the original surface.
Do Florentine trays come in sets?
Dealers often list graduated sets or pairs, as well as single trays.
Can I use a Florentine tray under a lamp?
Yes, with felt pads under the lamp base to protect the painted surface.
Sources and further reading
- 1stDibs: Italian Florentine gilded wood tray, toleware, 1960s (dealer listing) (1stdibs.com)
- Chairish: mid-century Italian Florentine gilt tray (dealer listing) (chairish.com)
- EPA: How can I tell if my home contains lead-based paint? (19january2021snapshot.epa.gov)