A REGENCY BLACK-AND GILT JAPANNED PAPIER MACHE TRAY

The London manufactory titled 'Clay, King Street, Covent Garden' (flourished c.1801-1822) was established by Henry Clay (d.1812), who styled himself 'Japanner in Ordinary' to King George III and George, Prince of Wales. However, he had established his patent for manufacturing tea-trays, waiters etc. in 'high varnished paper' or pasteboard in 1772, when previously working in Birmingham.