Handcrafted

Antique Dovetailed Wood Cutlery or Tool Tray, Dated 1871 with Heart Handle

Name: Antique Dovetailed Wood Cutlery or Tool Tray, Dated 1871 with Heart Handle
Brand: Handcrafted
Price: 135.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$135.00 USD

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Low stock: 1 left

Type:: Cutlery & Utensil Storage
Era:: Victorian Era (1837 - 1901)
Circa:: 1871
Origin:: Likely United States
Maker:: Likely "Yaeger"
Material:: Wood
Dimensions:: 16" x 10 ¼"
Condition:: Good (G)
Color:: Darkened brown with aged patina
Decoration:: Heart-shaped handle cutout
Maker’s mark:: Hand-inscribed name and date
Notes:: Signed Yaeger; dated July 15, 1871

Antique Dovetailed Wood Cutlery or Tool Tray, Dated 1871

Collector’s Note

Working household trays like this were everyday tools rarely preserved. The combination of pre-1900 construction, hand joinery, and an original signed and dated inscription places this piece firmly in the category of true American folk and farmhouse antiques rather than later decorative reproductions.

This authentic late 19th-century wooden carrier tray features traditional dovetail joinery, pegged construction, and a heart-shaped handle, hallmarks of early American farmhouse craftsmanship. Larger than a typical flatware tray, it likely served as a cutlery carrier or general household or workshop tool tray.

Most notably, the base is hand-inscribed with the owner’s name (Yaeger) and clearly dated July 15, 1871, offering rare and personal provenance. Surviving utilitarian pieces with legible names and dates are increasingly scarce, making this an especially appealing example for collectors of primitive and early American antiques.

Measuring approximately 16 inches long by 10¼ inches wide, the tray is crafted from solid wood with exposed dovetailed corners and a handle secured by wooden pegs. The surface shows a deep, timeworn patina developed over more than 150 years, giving the piece unmistakable character and authenticity.

Condition reflects honest age and use, including minor chips and a split along one section of the base. These imperfections do not affect stability and contribute to its genuine farmhouse presence.

Browse our Kitchenware & Décor collection for more tools, storage pieces, and decorative accents that make a kitchen both welcoming and functional.

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