What are Tole Trays?
Tole trays are metal trays which have been enameled and decoratively painted; you may also hear them referred to as “toleware.” Classically, tole trays have a matte black background with a complex and colorful design which is often heavily influenced by folk art. This style of painting and design can also be applied to other household goods like coffeepots, lampshades, and numerous other things. Some very fine example of antique toleware can be found in museums, especially in the United States, and it is also possible to purchase both new and antique toleware from shops which specialize in rustic home furnishings. The origins of tole painting are a bit obscure. The practice of enameling and painting has been widely practiced in Asia for centuries, but tole trays seem to have emerged around the 18th century, primarily among Scandinavian immigrants in New England. In addition to trays, these artisans produced a range of other goods in the same style, and all of the work was done by hand.
Tole trays are metal trays which have been enameled and decoratively painted; you may also hear them referred to as “toleware.†Classically, tole trays have a matte black background with a complex and colorful design which is often heavily influenced by folk art. This style of painting and design can also be applied to other household goods like coffeepots, lampshades, and numerous other things. Some very fine example of antique toleware can be found in museums, especially in the United States, and it is also possible to purchase both new and antique toleware from shops which specialize in rustic home furnishings. The origins of tole painting are a bit obscure. The practice of enameling and painting has been widely practiced in Asia for centuries, but tole trays seem to have emerged around the 18th century, primarily among Scandinavian immigrants in New England. In addition to trays, these artisans produced a range of other goods in the same style, and all of the work was done by ha
