Early Victorian papier-mâché oval tray with mother-in-pearl inlay. The Tabletop with a curved rim is adorned with hand-painted miniatures of nature, animals, and people. Decorated with gilt swirls of floral motifs all over the tray and stripes on the table legs. The original creator's stamp is visible on the bottom of the tray.

Jennens & Bettridge (English, fl. 1815-1864) was reputed for perfecting techniques in the craft and manufacture of high-quality papier mache wares. Aaron Jennens and Thomas Bettridge took over the workshop of Henry Clay, Japanner to George III and The Prince of Wales, in 1816. Originally based in Birmingham, they opened offices in London, Paris and New York in just 3 years. Jennens & Bettridge served as ‘Japanners in Ordinary’ to George IV and exhibited at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London. Their contribution to this important branch of the industrial arts received notice in the Art-Journal’s illustrated Exhibition Catalogue. In 1825 they took out a patent for “ornamenting papier-mache with pearl shell” and this technique together with painted decoration and gilding provided a brilliant effect because of the iridescent quality of the mother-of-pearl. The company hired several experienced painters to replicate paintings on its ornamental products. These artists were trained by painters from the Birmingham School of Design in order to preserve the greatest level of illustration.