Antique Victorian Tole Tray Handpainted Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog (6904)

Antique Victorian tole toleware tray. Metal, paint and gilding. Probably made in England. Circa 1840-50's. Possibly commemorating Queen Victoria's dog Dash. (see below). Measurements: Approximately 12 1/2 inches (32cm) long and 10 inches (25 1/2cm) across. Description : Toleware tray, wide oval or rounded rectangular in shape, the width dipping in the middle. At the long ends the concave walls turn in, forming convenient handles. The walls are decorated with a transferware pattern of enamelled white pink and green with a lot of gilded patternwork in consecutive borders. The base is black and has a large portrait of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel painted in the center. The dog wears a pretty reddish leather collar with gold hardware. The Cavvie is a Tricolor - with black, tan and white coloring, typical of the breed. Like all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, he has a tan snout and eyebrows. Slightly wavy coat. The painting is totally realistic and we can see almost every hair of his coat. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were particularly popular after Queen Victoria ascended the throne of Great Britain. Her dog Dash has gone down in history. On his grave, the Queen had engraved : Here lies DASH, the favourite spaniel of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. To this day, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels make outstanding pets and what could be more wonderful than this tray reminding us of Queen Victoria's dog Dash and our own wonderful friends. Marks and Metal: none. Condition: Paint loss at the back and fading to some of the black ground in the front (but no losses in the front). Gilding and enamelling as well as paint of dog in good condition. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.