It is a sad belief of many, that a functional object must be dull aesthetically. Yet this brilliantly hand painted circular tray stands in the face of such logic, with a flying goose design to the centre, its practical and beautiful with a very interesting history.
The scheme of the workshops were founded in 1899 to help with employment for wounded servicemen. It was however renamed just before the First World War after Lord Roberts who won the Victoria Cross for his bravery on the battlefield and afterwards his campaigning for expansion of the workshops. Known for creating painted utilitarian products and toys, many of these pieces have sustained their beauty over time and are highly sought after for their beauty and history.
This particular example is a deep green lacquered circular tray with a goose in flight in the centre over grassland. It measures at approximately 16cm in total diameter and due to its age and the lacquering process there has been some damage to the edges where the lacquer has come away which is shown in the photos. It has a green felt backing which is fully in place with the makers mark to the back.
