A fine late Victorian silver tray by Harry Hamilton Tracy of oval form with gadrooned rim and foliage at intervals and similarly ornamented handles, with an inner scalloped border enclosing an elaborately engraved decoration with scrolling motifs, flowers and foliage issuing from a plain central oval medallion Sheffield, dated 1901 Fully hallmarked. Length with handles 70 cm, width 45 cm. Harry Hamilton Tracy, recorded as a gold and stick mounter as well as well as a gold and silver worker, continued a business, which was begun by Thomas Walker. The latter was listed in 1841 as a jeweller and whip mounter based at Buttesland Street, Hoxton New Town. Thomas Walker’s business then became known as ‘U. & T. Walker’, which was continued by Thomas Walker (probably junior), recorded at Finsbury London in 1885. On the latter’s death the firm was taken over by Henry Tracy who was recorded at 64 Moorgate Street London in 1897 and at Foskett Works, Shacklewell Lane in Dalston as a manufacturer in ivory. Following Henry Tracy’s death the business was continued by Harry Hamilton Tracy, who worked firstly under the name of ‘Henry Tracy’ (1890 - circa 1904) and thereafter up until 1916 as ‘Henry Tracy & Sons’, when he was partnered by Ronald Wingfield Tracy (who was presumably his son). |