Bidspirit auction | Art Nouveau Gilt Brass 1901

Art Nouveau Gilt Brass 1901 Pan-American Exposition Buffalo Souvenir Tray - A commemorative Art Nouveau pin tray or dresser dish manufactured from gilt brass. The tray features an elaborate cast border of asymmetrical Rococo-style scrolling flourishes. The central well is stamped with a commemorative design celebrating the 1901 Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York. The stamped decoration includes the date 1901 at the top, followed by the text Pan American. A central figure of a charging buffalo is depicted in profile, with the words EXPOSITION BUFFALO stamped at the bottom in a decorative font. The reverse of the tray bears a hand-incised personal inscription in cursive script reading From A. W. Holtby Property of Gene (photo 2). A single small metal loop is attached to the left edge of the border, possibly for hanging (photo 1). Length: Approximately 5.5 inches Width: Approximately 3.25 inches. The tray exhibits significant surface wear to the original gold-toned finish, with the darker brass base metal visible across much of the surface (photo 1). Widespread oxidation is present in the form of dark spotting and pitting on both the front and reverse. Small areas of green verdigris are visible, particularly near the stamped lettering on the front (photo 3 and photo 5). The reverse shows numerous fine surface scratches and significant tarnishing (photo 2 and photo 7).