Swivel Pocket Watch Stand and Trinket Tray, c.1890-1910
A silver-plate pocket watch stand with an integral trinket tray, c.1890-1910, made for a gentleman's dresser or bedside table. A pocket watch was set into the velvet-lined cradle to stand upright like a small clock through the night, with the shallow tray beneath holding studs, coins and a chain.
The cradle, with a small urn finial at its crown, swivels between two pivots topped with ball terminals, so the watch can be tilted to face the bed. It rises on a turned baluster stem from a dished tray. The piece is silver-plated and unmarked, with the plate worn through in places and a weighted base that keeps it steady.
It stands 11.5cm tall, the tray 9.5cm across, with a 5cm cradle. Condition is honest: even tarnish throughout, the plate worn at the high points, and the velvet lining soft with use. The cradle still swivels freely and the base sits flat and steady.
