A tray is a tableware item designed for the convenient and safe carrying of dishes and meals to the table. Trays are made of different materials, such as metal, glass, and wood, and come in a variety of shapes, including with and without handles. But all trays have curved edges.

In Rus, trays originally served as stands for hot dishes, samovars, and letters or newspapers. With the rise of tea and coffee culture, it became extremely inconvenient to carry many cups one by one at large gatherings, so people began using trays for the distribution of food and beverages.

The presentation of items on beautifully designed trays was not only convenient and practical, but also served as a gesture of respect towards the guest. Trays were considered valuable and were often decorated with intricate designs, reflecting the owner’s wealth and status. Often one family could own several different trays.

In the 19th century, Russia saw the popularity of trays produced by the Polish company “The Fraget Brothers”. In 1824, Alphonse and Joseph Fraget founded a company that specialized in the production of affordable silver-plated items. The company focused on the production of cutlery, dishes, utensils, candlesticks, and censers.

At the time, Warsaw was the capital of the Polish Kingdom, which was a part of the Russian Empire. Under the decree of the Russian Tsar, newly established companies in the Kingdom were granted subsidies and permission to sell their products throughout the empire tax-free. The factory soon gained popularity, and Fraget products became highly sought after. In 1830, the company received its first accolade — a silver medal at the Paris exhibition.

The products manufactured by Fraget appeared to be silver, although they were in fact made of silver-plated copper. The company used the following method of silvering: a thin layer of silver foil was placed onto red-hot copper and then rolled. This type of product was referred to as cladded, or a product with a silver overlay. Silvered items manufactured using this method were more accessible to a broader range of consumers than silverware or tableware made of other precious metals.