{"product_id":"toleware-metal-hand-painted-tray","title":"Vintage Canal Art Toleware Tray in Black with Roses and Castle","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA hand painted metal tray in the roses and castles style, the cheerful folk art of England’s working canal boats. In the central roundel, a fairytale castle with red turrets rises above blue water, with an arched stone bridge, a little sailing boat and a pair of birds overhead. A scalloped yellow border frames the scene, surrounded by a garland of pink roses, green leaves and white and blue daisies on a deep black ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eRoses and castles painting grew up on the narrowboats of the Midlands and southern canals from the middle of the nineteenth century. Boat families decorated every surface of their tiny cabins, from water cans to cupboard doors, to make a cramped home feel bright and welcoming. The motifs were painted quickly with a few confident brushstrokes, and canal painters still keep the tradition alive today. This tray, painted by hand rather than printed, carries on that spirit beautifully, and the castle has the slightly wonky charm that makes folk art so lovable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe tray measures 30.5 x 24.5 cm, with a raised rim and softly shaped corners. It is a useful size for carrying two mugs and a plate of biscuits, or for gathering perfume bottles on a dressing table. It also looks wonderful propped on a shelf or plate stand as a small painting, or hung on a kitchen wall among painted plates. Pair it with green glass, dried hydrangeas and pale linen, as we have here, or lean into its narrowboat heritage with enamel jugs, brass and lace edged plates for a cosy cottage look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe painted front is bright and in good vintage condition. The black back shows marks and light scuffs from years of use, which you can see in the photographs. The photographs form part of the description, so do look through them all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor anyone who has ever stood on a towpath admiring the boats, or has a canal lover to buy for, this is a charming piece of English folk tradition. Browse our trays and decorative pieces to find it some company.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Blue Loft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55372519080263,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0850\/3921\/9015\/files\/E632063A-3A31-40F3-B7F2-E8300DE1A562.jpg?v=1791744801","url":"https:\/\/www.theblueloft.co.uk\/products\/toleware-metal-hand-painted-tray","provider":"The Blue Loft","version":"1.0","type":"link"}