Golden Stars, 19th C. Candlesnuffer on Wonderful (and Self-Referential) Tole Painted Tray american penmanship though there are two small

though there are two small holes at the corners of one short side for hanging vertically

I'd guess 1940s-50s

There is a semi-erased bird flying over her head

but a bit hard to read) and dating it to 1818

Something about a photograph of a handsome and perfectly poised homing pigeon really does it for me--a proud portrait of a rather phenomenal creature

Golden Stars, 19th C. Candlesnuffer on Wonderful (and Self-Referential) Tole Painted Tray american penmanship though there are two smallIt is 100% the dense field of tiny hand painted gold stars around the perimeter that sold me on this tole painted tray and scissors style candle snuffer wick trimmer set wonderful, and unusual, and feeling completely the right thing to set on the mantle during a long, dark, cold New England winter! There is something quite satisfying in having just the right tool to match a specific task, too, with real pleasure to be had in putting a candlelit room