A Chelsea spoon tray, circa 1755-58A Chelsea spoon tray, circa 1755-58Of lobed oval shape, the underside with crisply moulded acanthus leaves picked out in green and puce, painted in colours with a Meissen-style flower bouquet and numerous scattered sprigs, the rim edged with a brown line, 17cm wide, red anchor markProvenanceRobyn Robb CollectionWhile spoon trays became standard accompaniments to polychrome Worcester tea services, Chelsea spoon trays are surprisingly rare. The 1755 Chelsea sale catalogue included 'a spoon boat, scollopt in flowers and green leaves'. For a similar example see John Austin, Chelsea Porcelain at Williamsburg (1977), fig.74.