You’ve probably seen them at a dusty estate sale or tucked away on a high shelf in a "shabby chic" boutique. Those metal trays with the vibrant, slightly raised flowers and the scalloped edges. Maybe you thought it was just a mass-produced piece of tin. But if you flip it over and see that little silver foil sticker or a faded stamp, you’ve actually found a Nashco Products hand painted tray, a piece of mid-century Americana that’s currently having a massive second life in the world of cottagecore and grandmillennial decor.
Honestly, the "New York" branding on these things is a bit of a flex. While the Nashco Products Co. was famously based in New York City (and later Scranton, PA) from the 1920s through the 1950s, these trays weren't coming off a purely robotic assembly line. There’s a specific kind of human touch to them that people often miss.
The Mystery of the "Assembly Line" Artist
People hear "mass-produced" and they think of plastic injection molds. That’s not what happened here. Nashco specialized in what we call toleware—basically, decorative painting on tin or thin steel.
The fascinating part? While the metal trays themselves were machine-stamped, the artwork was done by actual humans using the "one-stroke" technique. Imagine a room full of artists—many of them incredibly skilled, some even signing their work with names like "Van" or "Juliane"—loading a brush with two different colors at once. With a single flick of the wrist, they’d create a rose petal that had built-in highlights and shadows.
It was fast. It had to be. But it was still art.
If you look closely at two different Nashco trays of the same design, they aren't identical. One might have a slightly thicker leaf; another might have a tulip that leans just a bit more to the left. That’s the "human-quality" collectors are hunting for today. It’s that weird middle ground between a fine art painting and a commercial product.
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Why Your "Antique" Might Actually Be a 1950s Revival
There is a huge misconception that every tole tray is a 200-year-old French heirloom.
Actually, the Nashco Products hand painted tray was part of a massive Colonial Revival trend. In the 1940s and 50s, Americans were obsessed with looking back. They wanted their homes to feel established, even if they were living in a brand-new suburban tract house. Nashco gave them that "old world" look at a price point that didn't require a Rockefeller bank account.
Most of the Nashco pieces you’ll find fall into a few distinct styles:
- The Black Classics: The most common. Deep black backgrounds that make the pink roses or yellow grapes absolutely pop.
- Wedgwood Blue and Sage Green: These were the "trendy" colors of the time. They feel a bit softer, very much in line with the 1950s pastel palette.
- Reticulated Edges: These are the fancy ones. "Reticulated" is just a nerdy way of saying the metal has little holes or a lace-like pattern punched into the rim.
Identifying the Real Deal
Kinda like anything else that becomes popular, there are plenty of knock-offs. However, Nashco had a very specific way of doing things.
First, check the weight. These are usually made of tin or light steel, not heavy cast iron. If it feels like it’s made of heavy plastic, it’s a modern reproduction from the 80s or 90s.
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Second, look at the back. Most authentic Nashco trays had a silver foil label. If the label is gone, look for the "alcohol and chip resistant" stamp. They were proud of that! It was a big selling point back then because people actually used these to serve martinis and whiskey sours. The lacquer was designed to withstand a spilled drink without the paint bubbling off.
Is It Worth Anything?
Don't expect to retire on one tray. But they aren't junk either.
Generally, a standard 12-inch round tray in decent shape goes for about $25 to $45. If you find a massive "butler's tray" with handles and a signed artist's name, you might be looking at $75 to $120. The condition is everything. Because they are metal, they rust. If the "flowering" (the painted part) is flaking off, the value drops faster than a lead balloon.
What Most People Get Wrong About Care
"I’ll just pop it in the dishwasher." No. Please, don't.
That "alcohol and chip resistant" finish from 1948 wasn't designed for a modern Bosch dishwasher at 150°F. The heat will crack the lacquer, and once moisture gets under that paint, the metal will start to oxidize.
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If you’ve got a Nashco Products hand painted tray, treat it like a delicate piece of furniture. A damp cloth with a tiny bit of mild soap is all you need. If you want to get really fancy, some collectors use a light coat of high-quality paste wax to keep the metal from rusting and give the colors a little extra depth.
The Modern Pivot: How to Style Them Now
Nobody is really "serving" on these anymore. Well, some are, but the trend has shifted.
Basically, they’ve become wall art. Because they are metal, you can use magnetic hangers to put them on a kitchen backsplash or a gallery wall without damaging them. They provide that hit of "grandma's attic" nostalgia that balances out the coldness of modern stainless steel appliances.
Another pro-tip? Use them as a base for a "coffee station" or a bar cart. It corrals all the messy bits—the sugar bowls, the bitters, the spoons—into one organized, beautiful spot. Plus, it protects your furniture.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Collector
If you're looking to start a collection or just want one killer piece, here is how you do it without getting ripped off.
- Hunt the "Sleepers": Look on platforms like eBay or local Facebook Marketplace for "vintage metal tray." Many sellers don't realize they have a Nashco piece and will list it for five bucks.
- Check the "Crimp": Authentic mid-century toleware often has a "crimped" or rolled edge. If the edge is sharp or unfinished, it’s likely a cheap modern craft store blank that someone painted recently.
- Smell it: This sounds weird. But old lacquer has a very specific, slightly sweet or chemical smell when it gets warm. Modern acrylic paint smells like, well, plastic.
- Prioritize the "Signed" Pieces: Look for small, handwritten names near the bottom of the floral spray. These are the ones that hold value best because they represent the peak of the studio's output.
Next time you're at a thrift store, don't just walk past the metalware section. Look for that scalloped edge. You might just find a piece of New York history that’s ready for another seventy years of service.