Vintage Ariki Paua Shell Tray in Teal Blue with Gold Handles

A large vintage New Zealand paua shell serving tray by Ariki, glossy resin set edge to edge with crushed paua shell in teal, blue, green and silver, with ornate textured gold tone handles and its original Made by Ariki New Zealand label.

This is the grown up version of the little paua trays that came home from New Zealand in so many suitcases, and it is a showstopper. Across its full length, thousands of tiny shards of paua shell shimmer under a deep, glassy resin, catching the light in shades of peacock blue and sea green that shift as you move around it. The handles are the finishing flourish: chunky gold tone bars cast with a bark like texture, so they look almost like little gilded branches.

Ariki, whose name comes from the Maori word for chief, has made paua shell pieces in New Zealand for decades and is best known today for its paua jewellery. Trays like this were a favourite souvenir, and ours still has both of its original labels beneath: Genuine Paua Shell, Made by Ariki New Zealand, and a small yellow note advising Rinse in warm water only. It sits on four small round pads.

It measures 33cm long including the handles, 19cm wide and 3cm high, light enough to carry round with ease. The shell surface is bright and glossy, the underside shows light scratches and surface marks from use, and the gilding on the handles has softened a little with age.

It makes a wonderfully glamorous cocktail tray. We would set it on a drinks trolley with a pair of coupes and a cocktail shaker, ready for party season, or use it on a dressing table as a home for perfume bottles and jewellery. It makes a smart catch all for keys and sunglasses on a hall console, and looks wonderful propped upright on a shelf where the light can play across the shell. It would make a striking gift for anyone with a love of mid century glamour or a connection to New Zealand.